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Chilton meets Marussia demands

Max Chilton completed his first FP1 session in Abu Dhabi © Sutton Images

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Max Chilton has revealed that he's got the sponsorship that Marussia has told him he will need to secure a race seat in 2013.

Chilton made his first FP1 appearance on Friday in Abu Dhabi, finishing a second off his team-mate Timo Glock's best time having been promoted to the role of reserve driver after the Singapore Grand Prix.

Prior to his first run in an official practice session, Chilton told the Press Association that he had been given a figure by Marussia which he has managed to secure via his own sponsors.

"I'm trying to get the race seat here," Chilton said. "I've managed to get two sponsors together for next year, to get the whole budget together, if the seat is available, which means as a family we don't have to put a penny in.

"My dad has always said he would get me to where I need, but that he won't put in any money. Luckily I now have the money. Now it's down to whatever happens in the middle part of the grid. You have to see what happens there, and then that filters down. At the moment I'm just waiting to see what happens there."

Having admitted that whether he gets the seat or not depends on Charles Pic's future, Chilton added that he was ready for a seat but is aware it's not all about his driving.

"Potentially it's looking good. You're not ready until you feel ready, and I feel ready. I know I've got the speed. But F1 is all about politics, and you have to see what seats are available and hopefully I'll get one. At the moment I'm excited about the future. I feel like I'm in a good situation, and hopefully something will come about in the next couple of months. It would be nice to know before Christmas."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.