A wreath of red roses from Ferrari placed outside the cathedral at the funeral ceremony pay tribute to the late Marussia Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi at the Sainte Reparate Cathedral in Nice, July 21, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

French media said parish priest Sylvain Brison told the congregation that, while Bianchi's death was "profoundly unjust", the driver had been "happy because he had made his dream come true.

"Jules never stood on a Formula One podium, so I ask you to applaud him now."

Friend and compatriot Jean-Eric Vergne, the former Toro Rosso racer and current Ferrari test driver, said Bianchi was "an extraordinary man, as beautiful inside and outside and now he is in heaven with F1's biggest names.

"He will stay a champion forever in our hearts."