Marussia team principal John Booth has said that progress on his squad's 2014 car is ahead of schedule, with six weeks until the first pre-season test begins in Spain. Marussia finished in 10th place in the 2013 championship, with Booth conceding that his team abandoned their 2013 season early in order to divert resources onto 2014's package. Chilton edging towards 2014 Marussia seat "The problem with a team of our size is that building a 2014 car from scratch has taken all our resources," he […]

Marussia have agreed a long-term technical partnership with Ferrari to use their engines and full powertrain from 2014, the Anglo-Russian Formula One team said on Tuesday. The move had been widely expected, with Marussia's existing supplier Cosworth set to leave the sport and the team appointing Frenchman Jules Bianchi - a Ferrari reserve - to their race line-up at the start of this year. Marussia said in a statement that the deal provided further confirmation of the team's commitment to Formula One and "determination to […]

Marussia on Wednesday finally confirmed reports Luiz Razia has completed the team's 2013 race driver lineup. The 23-year-old Brazilian, runner-up in last year's GP2 championship, will mark the news by testing Marussia's newly-launched MR02 car at Jerez on Wednesday. The 2013 vacancy, now filled by Razia, opened up recently when Marussia split with Timo Glock, citing the need for a sponsored driver. "Together with Max (Chilton), we are fielding a young but incredibly ambitious pairing and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve," […]

The 30 year old German has left Marussia by mutual consent, with team principal John Booth citing economic difficulties

Timo Glock is set to leave Marussia after three years with the team. German outlet Sport Bild claims that Glock will depart the Banbury based team. "I have experienced three great years with Marussia. We part in friendship," Glock is reported to have told Sport Bild. "I want new challenges [for myself] and continue my journey in motorsport." It is indicated that an official announcement will be given on Monday. Sport Bild also reports that DTM is a likely destination for the German, with Glock having been BMW Sauber's […]

GP2 2012's top two have targeted a step up to Formula One

Jerome d'Ambrosio joins Lotus as test and reserve driver for 2012

An announcement about Jerome d'Ambrosio's plans for the 2012 season is due within ten days, according to his manager. The 26-year-old Belgian lost his Virgin/Marussia seat after his debut season in 2011 but is now reportedly in the running to re-emerge at HRT. Handled by Lotus owner Genii's management arm, it is also possible d'Ambrosio could fall back on a reserve driver role at the Enstone based team. "A decision should be made within ten days in time for the start of winter testing at […]

Jerome d'Ambrosio remains confident he can keep his new Formula 1 racing career alive in 2012. The Belgian, backed by sponsors and managed by the Eric Boullier-led Gravity group, has lost his race seat at Virgin/Marussia after his solid debut season this year. But he insists he remains in the running for one of the remaining places on the 2012 grid. "For me, nothing has really changed since Brazil," he is quoted by La Derniere Heure, a French-language Belgian newspaper. "Not even the signing of […]

Part One of F1Zone's Driver Ratings

Today, after the Brazilian Grand Prix, Marussia Virgin Racing announced that French driver Charles Pic, will race for the team in 2012 alongside Germany’s Timo Glock. The 21-year-old had already tested for the team last week at the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi and had impressed the team during the test. Pic spent the past two seasons competing in GP2 and in 2011 he ended the year in fourth place with two wins, three pole positions and five podium finishes. From 2008-2009 he raced […]

The team currently known as Virgin has moved to allay the fears of sponsors who worry Sir Richard Branson is pulling out of formula one. Next year, the team will revert to the chassis name of its Russian supercar partner , after two seasons as Virgin Racing and regular circuit appearances by the famous brand's figurehead Branson. Referring to potentially worried sponsors, team sporting director Graeme Lowdon said: "They specifically joined us because they wanted to get closer to the Virgin group of companies and […]