Bianchi 'mugged while smoking cigarette' - report

Mar.7 (GMM) F1 driver Jules Bianchi has been attacked and mugged near Paris' famous Champs-Elysees.

Le Parisien reports that while the Marussia driver and Frenchman, in Paris for a television appearance, stood outside the luxury Pershing hotel smoking a cigarette before midnight, three assailants attacked him.

Bianchi, 24, was reportedly knocked to the ground and held while his watch was removed.

The newspaper said the watch stolen was a model by Richard Mille, the luxury Swiss brand, worth EUR 70,000. Bianchi filed a report with the police.