Marussia Launches KERS-Assisted MR02 At Jerez

Marussia have unveiled their new KERS-assisted MR02 machine at Jerez, prior to the first day of pre-season testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain. With only one driver confirmed for the new season in former reserve driver Max Chilton, much of the attention within the paddock is on who will team-mate the Briton at the Banbury-based outfit.

As the first day of testing dawned over the Jerez circuit, Marussia became the first outfit to get proceedings underway with a short and sweet unveiling of their new MR02 machine on the track’s start/finish line. The new car features a slightly revised color scheme in comparison to last season, however their main colors of black and red remain relatively the same.

For the first time in 2013, Marussia will run the KERS device which naturally presented a challenge to the design team to accommodate the package. Another new addition to the Banbury-based outfit’s machine is a new sidepod design, which is aimed at improving the airflow over the car. This will be assisted by a more aggressive coanda exhaust layout, which the team believes will be a major development area for the new season up and down the grid.

“We embark on the first pre-season test of 2013 feeling very positive about our new car – the MR02 – and what lies ahead in this next important chapter in the development of the Marussia F1 Team.” Explained Marussia’s team principal, John Booth. “Whilst we have experienced some changes over the winter, the one area of stability we have enjoyed is the one that is most important to our progression from here, the design of our 2013 race car, led by our Technical Director Pat Symonds. The incremental steps we were taking in the latter half of last season gave us the confidence to not only fight hard for 10th place in the Constructors’ Championship, but to feel encouraged by our overall design direction, which was the basis for the car we are fielding here in Jerez today.

“It is early days in our pre-season development programme but there is a great deal of optimism amongst the team for what lies ahead.” Continued John Booth, “With that in mind, we all look forward to seeing the MR02 make its on-track debut later this morning.”

Max Chilton will become the first driver to get behind the wheel of the new MR02 later today at Jerez, however the Briton’s team-mate has yet to be confirmed by the Anglo-Russian outfit. After Timo Glock’s sudden departure from the team, rumors have been circulating that paddock that GP2 ace Luiz Razia could join Max Chilton. With no driver announcement imminent, Max Chilton and Marussia will be hoping for a productive opening day of the first pre-season test.

Picture Copyright © Marussia F1 Team

Marussia Officially Confirm Max Chilton For 2013

Marussia have officially confirmed that British racing driver Max Chilton will team-mate Timo Glock at the Anglo-Russian outfit next season, in a move which will see the 21-year-old “graduate” from the GP2 feeder series to the world of Formula 1. Chilton will be filling the vacancy left by Charles Pic, who will move to Caterham for 2013.

After an extremely competitive season in GP2 with the Marussia-backed Carlin outfit, Max Chilton became a firm favorite to fill Charles Pic’s vacancy once the Frenchman confirmed his departure to Caterham for 2013. The Briton tested for Marussia during the team’s Young Driver Test programme at Silverstone in July alongside fellow GP2 driver Rio Haryanto. Chilton impressed greatly during this two-day test, and was appointed as the team’s official reserve driver once the GP2 season had drawn to a conclusion at the Japanese Grand Prix.

This saw Max Chilton make his first official appearance at a race weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix during practice one, when the Briton replaced Charles Pic. This fueled speculation that Chilton would drive for the outfit in 2013, and would team-mate Timo Glock who has remained with the outfit since their debut season in 2010. Marussia Motors President Nikolay Fomenko assured Russian media that Max Chilton would partner Timo Glock earlier in the week, with rumors circulating that the Briton has brought around €11.5 million to the team.

“We are delighted to welcome Max to the role of Race Driver with the Marussia F1 Team for the 2013 season.” Explained Marussia’s team principal, John Booth. “We have spent a significant amount of time evaluating his performances during 2012, both in our own car in a testing situation and also from the pit wall as we monitored his progress alongside the other members of our junior talent pool during Grand Prix support races. We felt confident enough in his ability and potential to appoint him to the role of Reserve Driver in September and since that time his development has been rapid in all aspects.

“Max very quickly embedded himself within the team, thanks in no small part to the fact that he is a lively and affable character who we’ve enjoyed having around. Having been integral to our race weekend engineering environment for the past three months already – as well as having undertaken a significant part of our simulator programme – Max has already found his feet.”

Max Chilton is understandably enthralled with his promotion within the Marussia outfit, and already has his sights firmly set upon making a good impression once pre-season gets underway in only a few months time. Marussia struggled greatly during pre-season testing last season, however the team is confident such struggles are behind them as they aim for a much more competitive 2013 campaign.

“It’s hard to put into words how I’m feeling today, with the announcement that I will be racing for the Marussia F1 Team in 2013.” Said Max Chilton, “It comes at the end of what has been a fantastic year for me, and those steps – my GP2 pole positions and wins, my performances in the F1 Young Driver Test and in FP1 at Abu Dhabi – have given everyone the confidence in my ability to compete at the highest level of motor sport.

“I feel very lucky to be able to embark on my F1 racing career with this group of people. Pre-season testing is just a few weeks away, so my focus now is to continue my physical preparation whilst spending as much time as possible working with the technical team to help develop the car I will drive in my debut F1 season.”

Max Chilton will become Timo Glock’s fourth successive team-mate at Marussia, following in the footsteps of Lucas di Grassi, Jerome D’Ambrosio and Charles Pic. Only the latter of those three drivers has gone on to secure himself a full-time drive in the sport after his debut season with Marussia, however Max Chilton will be hoping his time with the Banbury-based outfit allows him to secure a future in the highest echelon of motor sport.

Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service

Nikolay Fomenko Confirms Max Chilton At Marussia For 2013

Marussia Motors President Nikolay Fomenko has confirmed to Russian media that Britain’s Max Chilton will team-mate Timo Glock at the Anglo-Russian outfit next season, therefore ending speculation regarding the team’s driver line-up. It has been reported that Max Chilton has brought €11.5 million to the team for next season.

After a relatively successful career in GP2, which spanned three seasons and saw the Briton clinch two race victories, Max Chilton has become the third confirmed British driver on the grid for next season alongside Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. During the first Young Driver Test at Silverstone in July, Max Chilton joined fellow GP2 team-mate Rio Haryanto at the outfit for two days, completing a combined total of 86 laps.

Once the 2012 GP2 Series season had drawn to a fine conclusion, Max Chilton joined Marussia as the team’s official reserve driver for the remainder of the Formula 1 season, and partook in his first official session at a race weekend in Abu Dhabi during practice one on the Friday morning. When Frenchman Charles Pic was confirmed at Caterham for 2013, rumors linking Max Chilton to the vacancy alongside Timo Glock gathered momentum.

Despite no official confirmation by the Marussia F1 team, the President of Marussia Motors Nikolay Fomenko has explained that Max Chilton will definitely team-mate Timo Glock next season. If this announcement by Fomenko is true, then Marussia’s 2013 machine could well feature sponsorship from the Aon Group, whose Chilton’s father is the Vice President.

Picture Copyright © Marussia F1 Team

Max Chilton Eager To Receive Friday Practice Running With Marussia

Marussia’s new reserve driver Max Chilton has expressed hope that he can partake in several Friday morning practice sessions towards the end of the season, as the Briton aims to become the next British sensation in the sport. Chilton took a dominant feature race victory in GP2 at Singapore earlier today, racing for the Marussia-backed Carlin outfit.

Chilton’s new role as the Marussia F1 reserve driver will commence once the F1 circus arrives at Suzuka next month for the Japanese Grand Prix, one of the favorites on the F1 calendar amongst the paddock. From there, Formula 1 heads immediately to Yeongam for the Korean Grand Prix. However, it is at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November where rumor has it that Max Chilton could make his F1 debut at an official race weekend.

“There is no agreement as such, but I think there is a strong possibility I can have a go this year,” explained Max Chilton to Autosport at Singapore. “I’ve driven Abu Dhabi in an F1 car and that is the one I would love to do. I have done a lot of GP2 running there too, so that is the one where I would feel most comfortable, so hopefully I will get the chance. But nothing is agreed as yet.”

With the GP2 Series coming to a conclusion this weekend at Singapore, Max Chilton will be able to fully focus on his reserve driver duties at Marussia for the final races of the season. Max Chilton has competed in the GP2 Series since 2010, and has this season shown his true potential behind the wheel of the Marussia-backed Carlin outfit alongside Indonesian team-mate Rio Haryanto. The Briton currently sits 4th in the Drivers’ Champion, with only one final sprint race remaining at Singapore.

Picture Copyright © Marussia F1 Team

Chilton Wins Singapore Feature Race As Valsecchi Becomes GP2 Champion

Max Chilton has taken victory at the inaugural GP2 feature race around the streets of Singapore, whereas Davide Valsecchi has been crowned the 2012 GP2 Series Champion after finishing 4th ahead of Championship rival Luiz Razia. The race ended under safety car conditions, after heavy incident for Luca Filippi.

Poleman Luca Filippi suffered a torrid start for Coloni, dropping way down the order as Max Chilton stormed into the lead for Carlin with Esteban Gutierrez a close 2nd. Total carnage ensued further back in the opening lap, as Riccardo Teixeira and Rodolfo Gonzalez collided, Rene Binder spun and Victor Guerin ran straight on at turn 5 and slammed into the barriers. These chain of events brought out the safety car, as Gonzalez and Teixeira pitted due to their sustained damage.

The safety car period lasted for only several laps before green flag racing was resumed, with Max Chilton leading from the Lotus of Gutierrez. As the incident between Gonzalez and Teixeira came under investigation from the stewards, Simon Trummer slammed into the barriers at turn 18 and out of the race, however the highly efficient marshals were able to clear the stricken Arden International car without the need for another safety car period.

As the race continued, many drivers began peeling off into the pits to make their mandatory pit stop. Some drivers, the Championship contenders of Valsecchi and Razia included, started the race on the softer tyre compound and therefore were amongst the first to pit on laps 7 and 8. The leading duo of Chilton and Gutierrez eventually pitted a lap later, thus handing the lead down to the iSport International of Marcus Ericsson.

Johnny Cecotto jr. became the next retirement of the race, as the Venezuelan driver became the latest victim of the vicious “Singapore Sling” corner at turn 10. Cecotto jr. bounced precariously over the kerbing, eventually coming to rest off-track and out of the race. Marcus Ericsson pitted from the lead on lap 11, as Nigel Melker assumed the lead. Once Melker pitted, Fabio Onidi took the lead for Coloni and Sergio Canamasas came under investigation from the stewards for exceeding track limits at turn 10. The Spaniard was eventually issued a drive-thru penalty for his misdemeanors, as Jolyon Palmer became the latest retirement.

The ill James Calado eventually retired from the race on lap 24, after starting the race from a lowly 15th for Lotus. Fabio Onidi collided with Jake Rosenzweig as the race neared its conclusion, before the second Coloni of Luca Filippi slammed heavily into the barriers on the exit of the final corner. This once again brought out the safety car, as the race eventually came to an end under safety car conditions. A replay showed Luca Filippi tapping the barrier at turn 18, which supposedly damaged his front wing and was the catalyst for his heavy incident.

After securing the reserve driver role at the Marussia F1 Team, Max Chilton took a superlative and dominating victory as the checkered flag fell. The Briton was followed home by Esteban Gutierrez in 2nd and Fabio Leimer in 3rd. Davide Valsecchi finished 4th, clinching the Drivers’ Championship over the Arden International of Luiz Razia.

Tomorrow’s final sprint race will see the Caterham of Giedo van der Garde take the reverse grid pole, as the Constructors’ Championship between DAMS and Lotus comes to a thrilling conclusion around the Marina Bay street circuit.

Picture Copyright © Glenn Dunbar/GP2 Series Media Service

Max Chilton Becomes Marussia Reserve Driver

British GP2 driver Max Chilton has been selected as the Marussia reserve driver for the remainder of the season, starting with the Japanese Grand Prix in two weeks time. Chilton partook in the Young Driver Test at Silverstone with the Banbury-based outfit back in July, and is currently preparing for the GP2 season finale at Singapore this weekend.

Max Chilton began racing in the Formula 1 feeder series back in 2010 for Ocean Racing Technology, and has since moved to the Marussia backed Carlin team. This season has seen Chilton compete towards the sharp end of the field consistently throughout the year, with the Briton carrying out a flawless victory during the feature race in Hungary after qualifying on pole.

“I’m delighted to be given this fantastic opportunity to be part of the Marussia F1 Team for the remainder of the 2012 season.” Explained Max Chilton, “My experience with the team at Silverstone for the Young Driver Test was a great taste of how F1 operates, and I’m so excited to be able to extend that into a proper working relationship as Reserve Driver at the remaining F1 events this year. I feel like my racing has really matured this season and to now be able to combine that with real insight into the engineering activities of an F1 team, and the level of preparation required of an F1 driver, really moves my career onto the next level. I’d like to thank the team once again for this opportunity.”

The reserve driver role at Marussia was previously held by Maria de Villota, who was severely injured during a straight-line aero test at Duxford Airfield earlier in the year. Max Chilton is currently 5th in the GP2 Drivers’ Championship, with 144 points scored.

Picture Copyright © Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service