The family of Jules Bianchi says the French Formula One driver has died from head injuries sustained in a crash at last year’s Japanese Grand Prix.

The news was posted on Bianchi’s official Twitter feed early on Saturday morning French time and later confirmed by the Manor F1 team.

Bianchi, 25, had been in a coma since the October 5 accident, in which he collided at high speed with a mobile crane which was being used to pick up another crashed car.

The family statement said “Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end. The pain we feel is immense and indescribable.”

Bianchi competed in 34 races over the 2013 and 2014 seasons.