F1 shows its true strength for Bianchi

Some people may be able to fool you for a while, but it's at times of stress and difficulty that a person's true colours shine through.

The last fortnight has been one of the toughest that Formula 1 has experienced for some time. Indeed, most people were still feeling incredibly raw arriving in Russia as the reality of Jules Bianchi's condition sunk in.

Many at Sochi were trying to keep the emotions at bay but, away from the public glare in the paddock, and hidden behind closed doors or garage screens, true feelings came to the fore. It's not often that some of F1's supposedly most hardened men are reduced to tears.

While a few were not too bothered by events, and a small minority even tried to use them for personal gain, what the last week showed was that for all that F1 gets lambasted for being a place of self-interest and ruthlessness, there is still a tremendous community spirit.

Drivers closest to Bianchi like Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, who had immediately visited him in hospital, felt no need to shout from the rafters about what they were doing. This was about friendship and support - not going through the motions to show they cared more.

Todt is close to Bianchi © XPB

Ferrari personnel, including team boss Marco Mattiacci, worked tirelessly to do all in their power to support Bianchi and those around him before they could stay no longer.

Perhaps most interesting was the reaction of FIA president Jean Todt. The events of Suzuka hit him hard. He has known Bianchi for years - Todt's son Nicolas is his manager - and is very close to him.

In front of the media during a press conference on Friday, you could seen the strain etched on his face as he was forced to sit through a detailed explanation of the events and aftermath of Bianchi's crash.

But nothing showed his true feelings more than the anger he expressed on Sunday when videos being shared on social media suggested he had deliberately snubbed Alonso during pre-race grid formalities.

After a week of intense bonding with Alonso amid their shared concern for Bianchi, it hurt him deeply that anyone could even think he had tried to pull a political stunt at a time like this.

"When a guy is fighting for his life, it is so sad that people can suggest something like this," Todt said, having interrupted his travel home to make clear how ludicrous the claim was.

Bianchi gave Marussia its first points in Monaco © LAT

But, while many struggled to get on with their weekend duties amid the heightened emotions, perhaps the bravest of all were those down at Marussia.

Even though many there had experienced Maria de Villota's awful testing accident in 2012, there had been no time since Suzuka to get emotions in check.

It had been straight to Sochi, and knuckling-down to prepare a second car that would ultimately sit in the garage as a tribute to Bianchi and all he had brought to the team.

Just getting through the weekend was a victory in itself, and everyone at Marussia did it with a tremendous dignity they should be proud of.

For sporting director Graeme Lowdon to sit in front of the media on Friday afternoon too, and speak openly and honestly about his emotions and the state of the team, was admirable.

Inevitably, though, the show must go on.

But while talk will be of the title battle showdown in America, Brazil and Abu Dhabi, it's in Japan where many people's thoughts remain right now.