user icon
user icon
icon
link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Marussia set to revert to two-car operation in Austin

Marussia set to revert to two-car operation in Austin

  • Published on 13 Oct 2014 11:56
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Marussia looks set to revert to a two-car operation in the wake of the Russian grand prix. After Sunday at Sochi, where Max Chilton went it alone while the seriously injured Jules Bianchi's sister car sat dormant, Briton Chilton admitted it had been "an incredibly tough week" for the entire team.

Boss John Booth is still at Bianchi's hospital bedside in Japan, leaving Graeme Lowdon to deny rumours late on Sunday that Chilton had retired after just ten laps at Sochi because he was overcome with grief. Despite Marussia's contractual obligations, Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA allowed the team to sit Bianchi's car out in Russia out of respect for the stricken Frenchman.

It was however a risk to not run the second car in Russia, given Marussia's lucrative ninth place position at present in the crucial constructors' standings. "It's a very important position for us," agreed Lowdon, "and we're largely in that position because of Jules. We thought that the right thing to do was to come here, take part in the event but as a mark of support to Jules and as a mark of respect to his mum and dad and to Jules' family we would withdraw the second car," he added.

It is likely, however, that Marussia will now revert to a two-car operation for the decisive last three grands prix of the season, starting with Austin early next month. Bianchi's crash came at the worst possible time for Marussia, with the backmarker team struggling financially.

The Times reports that main investor Andrey Cheglakov, a Russian, was at Sochi for the inaugural race but there is "no word" as to whether he will keep the team alive for another year. Defending ninth place in the championship from the similarly-struggling Caterham appears to be the team's best play.

"The best thing we can do for Jules and the family is to really try to protect the position in the championship he gave us," said Lowdon. "It (Monaco) was a really great drive and that got us something really valuable in sporting terms," he is quoted by the Mirror.

Chief engineer Dave Greenwood also hinted that Marussia, likely to field its Californian reserve Alexander Rossi, will be back on track with two cars in Austin and beyond. "At some stage we will need to look ahead to the remaining races of the season, but for now, we're pleased to be heading home," he said on Sunday. (GMM)
F1 News Alexander Rossi Marussia

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

Related news

World Championship standings 2022

Pos
Team
Points
1
Red Bull Racing
759
2
Ferrari
554
3
Mercedes
514
4
Alpine F1
173
5
McLaren
159
6
Alfa Romeo Racing
55
7
Aston Martin
55
8
Haas F1
37
9
Alpha Tauri
35
10
Williams
8
Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Driver profile

US Alexander Rossi -
  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country US
  • Date of b. Sep 25 1991 (31)
  • Place of b. Auburn, California, US
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.86 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Marussia
Show full profile

Formula 1 Calendar - 2022

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
18 - Mar 20
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
25 - Mar 27
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
8 - Apr 10
Australia
Albert Park
22 - Apr 24
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
6 - May 8
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
20 - May 22
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
27 - May 29
Monaco
Monte Carlo
10 - Jun 12
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
17 - Jun 19
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
1 - Jul 3
United Kingdom
Silverstone
8 - Jul 10
Austria
Red Bull Ring
22 - Jul 24
France
Paul Ricard
29 - Jul 31
Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Aug 28
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
2 - Sep 4
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
9 - Sep 11
Italy
Monza
30 - Oct 2
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
7 - Oct 9
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
21 - Oct 23
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
28 - Oct 30
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
11 - Nov 13
Brazil
Interlagos
18 - Nov 20
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2022

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
18 - Mar 20
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
25 - Mar 27
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
8 - Apr 10
Australia Albert Park
22 - Apr 24
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
6 - May 8
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
20 - May 22
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
27 - May 29
Monaco Monte Carlo
10 - Jun 12
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
17 - Jun 19
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
1 - Jul 3
United Kingdom Silverstone
8 - Jul 10
Austria Red Bull Ring
22 - Jul 24
France Paul Ricard
29 - Jul 31
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Aug 28
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
2 - Sep 4
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
9 - Sep 11
Italy Monza
30 - Oct 2
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
7 - Oct 9
Japan Circuit Suzuka
21 - Oct 23
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
28 - Oct 30
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
11 - Nov 13
Brazil Interlagos
18 - Nov 20
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar