As he and other drivers reacted to the crash, in which Frenchman Bianchi of Marussia collided with a recovery vehicle, Brazilian Massa - who survived terrible head injuries in an accident in Hungary in 2009 - revealed his emotions.
Speaking at an official pre-event news conference ahead of this weekend's inaugural Russian Grand Prix, the Williams driver said he wanted to race "and do his best for him, and for his family".
Massa, 33, a veteran of 206 Grands Prix, said: "For me, it was the worst race of my life... A really bad race, worse than the race of my accident that I can't remember. The worst of my life.
Like former Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso, Massa made clear he wanted to support Bianchi by racing for him - a feeling shared by the drivers and teams as they assembled in the sunny Sochi paddock where Bianchi's friend and compatriot Jean-Eric Vergne was distributing stickers declaring 'Tous Avec Jules'.
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Spaniard Alonso said: "I have huge respect for our work, but when there are big accidents of this type.... It will be a tough weekend and right now, we are here and it is emotionally very difficult.
Bianchi remained in a 'critical but stable' condition in hospital in Japan following surgery to treat severe head injuries.