Thieves Stole the Final Go-Kart of Late Formula 1 Driver Jules Bianchi

Formula 1 fans around the world are heartbroken alongside the Bianchi family this week. Jules Bianchi’s father, Philippe, revealed on Facebook that thieves have stolen the last go-kart his son ever raced. Jules had a monumentous impact on motorsport and was the godfather of Charles LeClerc years before he became an F1 driver. While motorsport has changed dramatically over the past two decades, the foundations of most great drivers still begin in karting. Such was the case with Jules, too. This racing memorabilia loss is deeply personal for the Bianchi family.

Jules Bianchi’s Story

Long before Monaco points finishes and Ferrari Driver Academy headlines, there was karting. Jules Bianchi started racing at just five years old on a circuit owned by his father and remained in the sport until he was 17. Those early years shaped everything that followed, from his success in French Formula Renault to victories in Formula 3 and, eventually, his arrival in Formula 1 in 2013. A year later, his career and life were tragically cut short after a crash in wet conditions at the Japanese Grand Prix, when his car struck a mobile crane recovering another driver’s car off the track. He suffered severe head injuries and passed away nine months later at the age of 25, leaving behind a short but impactful legacy. Notable current Formula 1 drivers attended the funeral, including Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, and of course, Charles LeClerc.

The Go-Karts That Got Stolen

Philippe Bianchi shared the news in a message to the karting community, explaining that several karts were taken in the break-in, including some belonging to his grandchildren. But it was the loss of Jules’ final kart that stung the most. “They stole the last kart of Jules, a KZ 125 model ART GP,” he wrote, adding that while the machines have monetary worth, “it is the sentimental value that hurts us.” Nowadays, karting is more important than ever in discovering young talent, hence why Porsche Motorsport North America and K1 Speed offer go-kart racers a chance to race real Porsches.

A Call to the Motorsport Community

Now, the family is turning to the same motorsport community that once celebrated Jules’ talent for help. Philippe has asked anyone who may come across JB17 karts to get in touch, hoping that visibility can return Jules’ kart to its home. Even if the kart never resurfaces, Jules Bianchi’s legacy remains secure, not only in record books but in the countless young drivers who continue to chase the same dream he once did.