Marussia Positive With New Updates For Spanish GP

Anglo-Russian team Marussia are confident that their new upgrades to the MR-01 will help them reel in their immediate competitors, after a productive three day test at Mugello. The aerodynamic update to the car will hopefully propel to the teams forwards, as other teams will undoubtedly have improved as well.

Marussia have had a relatively successful start to the 2012 season, with only one retirement in four races. This occurred when Charles Pic unfortunately retired from the Bahrain Grand Prix with engine related issues. That aside, Marussia have progressed greatly since the opening four races of the season, with the team failing to take part in any pre-season activities except a quick shakedown of the new car at Silverstone.

“I am looking forward to the Spanish Grand Prix and the start of the European season.” Explained Timo Glock, “After the tests in Mugello I think we have a good baseline for Barcelona and now we need to see what the new parts we have will bring. I hope they make a difference and we can be a bit closer to the guys in front of us. I am looking forward to the race weekend again.”

Having raced for Marussia since the teams inaugural season in 2010, Timo Glock has raced at the Circuit de Catalunya in every season since 2008 when he raced for Toyota. During this period his best finish around the track was only 10th in 2009, a season which saw him finish on the podium twice. His team-mate, French rookie Charles Pic, has also raced at the Circuit de Catalunya before however only in GP2. Pic has won on the track twice in his GP2 career, in two consecutive years.

“We have a good update and the car feels positive, so if we can make it work at Barcelona, I think we can continue to be strong at the other circuits.” Said Charles Pic, “The Circuit de Catalunya is a track I know well; I have raced here a few times now. I am feeling good about the direction we are heading in and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

Although Marussia are confident ahead of this weekends Spanish Grand Prix, it’s a known fact that the majority of the other teams on the grid will be introducing similar upgrades. This means the battle towards the rear of the order can only get more competitive as the season wears on.

Picture Copyright © Marussia F1 Team 

Marussia Signs Female Test Driver Maria de Villota

Marussia have signed Maria de Villota as their new test driver for 2012, only days after unveiling their new car and passing the mandatory FIA crash test. The Spanish female driver has recently tested a Renault R29 at Paul Ricard, and has raced in various Championships’ including Spanish F3 and the Daytona 24 Hours.

It has also been confirmed she will be driving the Cosworth powered Marussia MR-01 at the Abu Dhabi Young Drivers’ Test towards the end of the year, which will be her second outing in a Formula 1 car. The last female driver to drive a Formula 1 car was Katherine Legge back in 2005, who now races in the IndyCar Series in America.

This comes as Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, spoke out about female drivers’ in Formula 1, stating he was convinced females would be racing in F1 within the decade. Along with Italian GP3 driver Vicky Piria, it seems a female driver in Formula 1 is becoming more of a reality.

“I am very happy to be joining the Marussia F1 Team test driver programme,” said the Spanish 32-year-old, “This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with a Formula 1 team and gain important experience to help me progress my career, including the chance to drive the new car later in the year at the Abu Dhabi test. I will be joining the team trackside so I’m looking forward to working alongside them at the first race next weekend and this can only help my future ambition to step up to Formula 1 racing.”

Maria de Villota could well become the first female driver since Giovanna Amati, who tried to qualify for several races for Brabham back in 1992. 

Picture Copyright © Marussia F1 Team 

Marussia Given Green Light To Race In Australia

After failing to attend the final pre-season test in Barcelona due to failing the mandatory FIA crash test, Marussia can finally fully focus on the Australian Grand Prix after their 2012 car passed the crash test earlier today. 

Only a day after they unveiled their new car, the MR-01, at a private filming day at Silverstone, the Russian outfit can now officially race at the Australian Grand Prix in under two weeks time. For 2012, all teams that wish to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship have to pass a stringent and mandatory FIA crash test. 

Marussia’s rival team at the back of the grid, HRT, also failed the crash which prevented them from taking part in the final pre-season test. The Spanish outfit yesterday also took their new car to the track for the first time, at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona during a filming day. 

“After a challenging few weeks for the team, we are pleased to have overcome the last hurdle of the final FIA-observed crash test, which we passed today,” said the teams technical consultant, Pay Symonds. “The component in question actually passed an ‘unobserved’ crash test but has been performing inconsistently in the observed tests. The previous fail was only marginal so we needed to have a slightly more robust solution in place. A few minor adjustments to the original concept of the component was all that was required. We were all thrilled to see the new car out on track over the past two days and whilst we have a lot of catching up to do, we take heart from the fact that everything is back on a more positive trajectory. We now look forward to the challenge of the season-opener in Melbourne next weekend.”

Marussia will be hoping for a successful start to 2012, as they aim to qualify within the 107% rule at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. 

Picture Copyright © Glenn Dumbar/LAT Photographic 

Marussia Unveil New Car

The new Marussia Formula 1 car, the MR-01, has made its first track appearance at Silverstone today. The team initially failed the mandatory FIA crash test, and therefore failed to take part in the final Barcelona pre-season test. 

Although their 2012 car has taken to the track, it has still yet to pass the mandatory crash test, with technical consultant Pat Symonds saying it has only passed an unobserved one. With the 2012 car featuring very little carryover components from the 2011 car – when the team were known as Virgin Racing – this marks a new technical era for the team, with a technical partnership with McLaren Applied Technologies.

With the tie-up with McLaren a big influence on the design of the new Marussia MR-01, it has become the only car other than the McLaren not to feature a step nose platypus design. The team have dubbed the new car as a significant evolution of its predecessors, with the design team being a little more adventurous with the design of the car in relation to the teams previous challengers.

“We are very pleased to be running the new MR01 for the first time this morning.” Explained Team Principal, John Booth, “It has been a long and frustrating wait for everyone in the team but we can now get back on track – literally – and start working towards the first race of the season in Australia next weekend. Today is the first of two promotional events, so while the drivers will be able to get a feel for the car, they won’t be able to draw any real conclusions until we start running in anger in Melbourne. Nevertheless, this is an important day for us and we’ll enjoy every minute on track with the new car.”

The Cosworth powered team are completing a two day shakedown of their new car at Silverstone, with both Timo Glock and French rookie Charles Pic getting time in the car before the season opening Australian Grand Prix.

Picture Copyright © Glenn Dumbar/LAT Photographic