Still trying to cope with Bianchi's accident, some of the leading drivers said Thursday they had to be professional and focus on the race, despite the "gray cloud" over this weekend's event in Sochi.
"All our thought are with Jules," Ferrari driver and former champion Fernando Alonso said. "I have a huge respect for our sport but when big accidents happen, there are no words to describe the feeling.
"It's going to be emotionally very difficult, we will race for him, in our minds we are with him, praying."
The French driver remains in a Japanese hospital in critical but stable condition.
Sutil, who witnessed Bianchi's accident, would not get into details, calling it "shocking for everyone."
"We have to pray, that's all we can do. Although there is a gray cloud over us, we have to try to be professional and race for him," Sutil said.
"It's been a difficult week for all of us. Tomorrow we should do the best we can, for him and his family," Massa said, referring to Friday's start of the racing weekend. McLaren's Jenson Button said it was a "very horrible feeling knowing what your fellow driver is going through."
"All drivers have one wish, to hear positive, better news, that he will recover, that's all that matters," Kvyat said.
Four-time champion and Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel said he though Bianchi's accident was due to a set of unfortunate circumstances.
The rainy, fading-light conditions in Suzuka left "a very small margin for error and it was too small for Jules," Vettel said.
