F1 2010: Virgin Racing Walkthrough – Part 59/Suzuka Race

Virgin Racing Video Rating: five / five

WE WILL COMPETE

Marussia’s team principal John Booth has vigorously denied rumours that his team may not complete the 2012 season, following speculation that the team may not exist in another few months.

The team, formerly known as Virgin Racing, now has Russian sports car manufacturer Marussia as its primary sponsor, and although its drivers did eventually make it to the Australian Grand Prix, it looked for some time as though they were not going to make the necessary leaps forward to compete this year. They weren’t able to run cars at any of the three pre-season testing sessions, most notably missing the final testing run in Barcelona after failing the compulsory FIA crash test.

However, when the first race of the season set off in Melbourne last weekend, Charles Pic and Timo Glock were representing Marussia on the grid, and Glock completed the race although he was lapped and the only drivers he beat were those who retired prematurely. Pic had to retire 53 laps in with an oil pressure problem. Even this is something of an achievement though, when compared to the other team who have had similar problems. HRT Cosworth were denied the chance to race at Albert Park in Australia when they both recorded a qualifying time well outside of the 107% limit (of the fastest time), which came into force last season.

Marussia’s team principal John Booth seemed adamant that his team would continue to compete throughout 2012 when questioned recently, though Williams F1 still won’t be too worried. “Of course we’ll see out the season. We’ve strong sponsors and we’re very happy with them as they’ve been very loyal to us,” said Booth. “Our shareholders are committed to taking us through to 2014. We are not attracting many new sponsors, but I don’t think any team in the pitlane is doing that.”

Booth also emphasized how unlikely it was to get both cars to the chequered flag last weekend. “Going into the race in Melbourne the most number of consecutive laps we had done was eight, and we had to try to do 58,” he said. “What unfolded was actually much better than we could have hoped for, which is a testament to the design guys and the fact we have a competent group of people now who know how to design an F1 car”

F1 2010: Virgin Racing Walkthrough – Part 14/Shangai Qualifying

Virgin Racing Video Rating: 4 / 5

BRIGHT FUTURE AS MARUSSIA

Marussia has finally revealed their brand new Formula 1 car – the MR01 – after the team made its on track debut on Monday at the Silverstone track.

The Anglo-Russian F1 team is running their car for the very first time at the Silverstone track after the car failed the compulsory crash tests and they were not able to join other teams at the at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona for the final pre-season test.

John Booth, the Marussia team principal told that they are very pleased to be running the brand new MR01 this morning. It has been a frustrating and long wait for all in the team, but now they can get back on the track and start working for the season opener race at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia, next week.

He also added that this day is the very first 2 promotional events; therefore while the drivers will get a nice feel about the car, they will not be able to draw any conclusions till they began to race in Australian Grand Prix. None the less, this day is really important for the team itself and they will enjoy each moment on the track with this new car.

According to the team, MR01is the outcome of a ground-up rating of the way it figures its racing cars after only using CFD technology for their previous challengers. The new car, powered by Cosworth, has been designed by a group led by Pat Symonds, the technical consultant.

The team admitted that, last year, the technical partnership with McLaren Applied Technologies has been quite important in the design process. The new MR01 car is the only other Formula 1 car not to feature a platypus-style nose along with McLaren’s challenger. Marussia told that Charles Pic and Timo Glock will share driving responsibilities at Silverstone circuit today and tomorrow.

F1 2010: Virgin Racing Walkthrough – Part 29/Montreal Race

Virgin Racing Video clip Rating: 5 / 5

F1 2010: Virgin Racing Walkthrough – Part 5/Melbourne Practice

Virgin Racing Video clip Ranking: four / five

F1 2010: Virgin Racing Walkthrough – Part 38/New Contract

Virgin Racing Movie Rating: 5 / 5