Jules Bianchi's Marussia F1 team touched by fan and paddock support

With Bianchi still in a critical condition in hospital following his Japanese Grand Prix crash, Marussia has faced a hugely challenging time over recent days to prepare for this weekend's race in Russia, where it is only running one car.

But with fans and everyone in the sport rallying around to offer their best wishes, Lowdon says the backing has been welcomed.

"It has been a very, very difficult time, but it has also been a time that reminded us of how much support there is for people within this sport," said Marussia's sporting director.

F1 must react calmly to Suzuka

"Jules is an exceptional F1 driver, but he is also an exceptional human being. I don't know a single human being who doesn't like him.

"You wouldn't wish that accident on anybody, but certainly Jules has so many friends that it has hit home really hard to a lot of people.

"John [Booth, team principal] has remained in Japan to offer what support he can.

"None of us are medical people so we cannot help in that area, but we can provide another form of support which we hope helps the really difficult time.

"From a team point of view we want to thank everyone who has provided support - especially the fans."

Lowdon admitted that it was not an easy call to decide to race with just one car at the Russian GP, with Max Chilton the team's sole entrant.

"It was a difficult decision," he said. "The main thing we wanted was to do something useful and be supportive as much as we can for Jules and Jules' family.

"We thought that the right thing to do was to obviously come here, take part in the event, but as a mark of support to Jules and mark of respect to his mum and dad and to Jules' family, we would withdraw the second car."

FERRARI HAS FACED PAINFUL WEEK

Ferrari team principal Marco Mattiacci, who has got to know Bianchi as part of his team's young driver programme, admitted that events of the last week had hurt.

"It has been and still is an extremely painful week for all of us in F1, but for all of us at Ferrari," he said.

"Jules is a Ferrari driver, is part of the Ferrari family and is one of us. So we are extremely pained at the moment.

"We have been trying to stay as close as we can to the family.

"To go through this weekend we do with a lot of pain, but we are here to race and having Jules in our hearts. That is all I have to say."