Jules Bianchi shines as Marussia score first ever points in Monaco Grand Prix

By Steven Oldham

Frenchman Jules Bianchi put in a star turn by scoring both his and Marussia's first points in Formula 1 in an action packed Monaco Grand Prix today.

Bianchi finished eighth, but was classified ninth to score two points after receiving two penalties, one which was applied after the race.

He was given two five second stop and go penalties - the first for being out of place on the grid - and the second for taking the first penalty in a safety car period which is not allowed under FIA regulations.

Despite this, he managed to avoid the numerous accidents and spins and record his best result in a race with many retirements. Kimi Raikonnen and Kevin Magnussen's coming together no doubt helped him but he kept a clear head and got the car home ahead of the much more established Lotus car of Romain Grosjean.

Bianchi has impressed in his Formula 1 career so far. His hands have been tied somewhat with the lack of resources Marussia have to drag themselves away from the back of the grid but his two points today will be invaluable in the title battle with Caterham this year.  He's had the better of Max Chilton in race pace more often than not, if not the reliability of the British driver. 



Jules and Marussia celebrate (@Marussia_F1Team)

Main rivals Caterham were also close to gaining their first points as Marcus Ericsson eventually came 11th, and Marussia will be grateful Magnussen managed to recover his McLaren to claim the final point.

If Bianchi does leave after this season - he looks destined for bigger things and his place in the Ferrari Driver Academy confirms he is well thought of in the biggest teams - he looks likely to have secured  Marussia a top ten championship place for a second season running.

There are a lot of races left to go obviously, and it's not impossible either Ericsson or Kamui Kobayashi will match or eclipse Bianchi's points scoring exploits. But races like today are few and far between, with the attrition rate so high and narrow tracks like Monaco a rarity in modern Formula 1.

Bianchi however was in a class of one in the battle of the smaller teams today.  His determined, rugged overtake of Kobayashi, following Raikonnen through seemed to be the catalyst for his best performance in an F1 car to date.

It's because of his performance Marussia sit ninth in the constructors table - ahead of Sauber - on merit - with two points.  It's also one of the reason he won't be with the team next year. But what a brilliant early leaving present he's given his team.