More than a decade after Jules Bianchi’s tragic passing, his name still carries deep meaning across Formula 1 and the karting world that shaped him.
This week, that shared sense of memory and respect has been tested, as Bianchi’s father Philippe revealed a distressing theft that strikes at the very heart of his son’s legacy.
In an emotional appeal shared on social media, Philippe Bianchi disclosed that thieves have stolen several karts from the family – including the machine Jules raced in his final karting outings before stepping up to single-seater racing.
A Loss Beyond Material Value
Jules Bianchi’s rise through motorsport was built on karting brilliance, a foundation that ultimately led him to Formula 1 with Marussia in 2013 and to a Ferrari junior role that marked him as one of the sport’s brightest prospects.
His stunning drive to ninth place at the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix delivered Marussia’s first-ever championship points and cemented his reputation as a future star.
Philippe and Christine Bianchi with Charles Leclerc.
That promise was cruelly cut short later that year. Bianchi suffered catastrophic injuries in wet and chaotic conditions at the Japanese Grand Prix and died nine months later, aged just 25.
Eleven years on, his memory remains woven into the fabric of motorsport – not least through the JB17 Forever karts that honour his journey.
It is those machines that have now been taken.
“Dear friends, tonight I am addressing my karting family,” Philippe Bianchi wrote on Facebook. “Last night we were burgled and the unscrupulous thieves made off with nine JB17 Forever chassis.”
The theft included items of profound personal significance.
“Even worse, they stole Jules' last kart, a KZ 125 ART GP model, as well as my grandsons' mini karts. Apart from the value of the machines, it is the sentimental value that hurts us,” he added.
A Call to the Karting Community
Philippe Bianchi’s message was not just a statement of loss, but a plea for vigilance from the motorsport community that continues to honour his son’s name. The JB17 Forever branding is closely associated with Jules’ legacy, making any appearance of the stolen karts difficult to ignore — and, Philippe hopes, impossible to quietly sell.
“If you see any JB17 karts in circulation, please let me know,” he said. “Thank you in advance.”
In a sport built on passion, memory and shared history, the appeal has already resonated widely.
For many, the hope is that the same community that has kept Jules Bianchi’s legacy alive for more than a decade can now help protect it – and ensure that the final machines raced by one of motorsport’s most beloved figures find their way home.
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