• Ferrari news

Bianchi 'the benchmark' for Marussia

ESPN Staff
August 6, 2013 « Pirelli in 'the most bizarre situation' over 2014 | F1 'unimaginable' without Ecclestone - Horner »
Jules Bianchi has comprehensively outperformed team-mate Max Chilton so far this season © Sutton Images
Enlarge

Jules Bianchi "has become the benchmark driver" for Marussia, according to Ferrari Driver Academy head Luca Baldisserri.

As a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Bianchi has had his progressed watched very closely by Baldisserri, who is impressed with how easily he has fitted in to Formula One. However, Baldisserri said there is still room for improvement and the next step will be to ensure he is in a more competitive car in the future.

"Jules has completed the move to Formula One without any problems," Baldisserri told the official Ferrari website. "He has become the benchmark driver for the team, gaining its confidence at the track. I consider it a fundamental move, especially in Formula One.

"Recently we spent a bit of time together in Maranello to assess the situation. We will continue to concentrate on stress management, an aspect where he has already made great progress, even if there is still room for improvement.

"Clearly, currently Jules is not in a situation where he can fight in the mid-field and for the future, it will be important to know if his presence in Formula One will have some continuity and in that case, what could be the potential of his team."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
ESPN Staff Close