VALTTERI Bottas has paid tribute to former Marussia driver Jules Bianchi ahead of tomorrow’s Hungarian Grand Prix – the first race since the Frenchman’s tragic death.

Bianchi died on July 17 after suffering devastating brain injuries at last year’s Japanese GP, while driving for the former Banbury-based team, who have now been renamed Manor F1.

The 25-year-old’s funeral was held in Nice, France, on Tuesday and Grove-based Williams driver Bottas was one of Bianchi’s many former competitors who were in attendance.

He said: “It has been tough for everyone who knew Jules and I can’t even imagine for the family.

“It was not an easy day on Tuesday to let go.”

Bottas continued: “He was a nice guy that everyone liked and being a teammate with him before in Formula 3 I knew him pretty well.”