- Russian Grand Prix
Marussia to race with one car in Russia
Marussia will run just one car at this weekend's Russian Grand Prix in the wake of Jules Bianchi's accident one week ago in Japan.
With Bianchi still in a critical condition in hospital, on Friday morning the team decided it would be appropriate to run just one car in Russia. The second car is prepared in the garage with Bianchi's No.17 sticker affixed in support of the Frenchman.
On Thursday, Marussia gave itself the option of running two cars by putting forward reserve driver Alexander Rossi on the FIA entry list. It said a decision would be made on Friday morning and ahead of first practice it confirmed just one car would run. Teams are contracted to run two cars at each event, but the team will not face any penalties or sanctions in these circumstances.
"The Marussia F1 Team will run a single car for the duration of the forthcoming grand prix weekend in Sochi, out of respect for their driver Jules Bianchi, who remains in hospital in Yokkaichi, Japan, in a critical but stable condition," read the team's statement.
"The team have written to the stewards of the meeting to inform them that they have withdrawn their second car. Notwithstanding the presence in Sochi of Alexander Rossi, the nominated official reserve driver for the 2014 Russian Grand Prix, the team feels strongly that fielding a single car, that of driver No.4, Max Chilton, is the appropriate course of action under the difficult circumstances of the weekend.
"Jules' car crew have built a second car, which has been scrutineered and is ready to race, and this will remain on his side of the garage throughout the weekend. In support of Jules and his family, the Team and their cars will carry the familiar #JB17 graphic, to ensure that although Jules is not with them in Sochi this weekend, he is, nonetheless, racing on with the Marussia F1 Team."
Bianchi's team-mate Max Chilton said: "I don't know how to put into words how truly devastated I am by what has happened to Jules. The support from the F1 family has been incredible and all we can do is be there to support Jules' family at this difficult time. It is going to be a very emotional weekend for the whole team, but we will try to get through it and keep praying for Jules."
The 21 drivers taking part in Russia this weekend will all run with the message 'Tous avec Jules #17' on their helmets as well as various messages of support on cars.
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