541 replies to this topic

[Petroltorque]

I stand corrected on Pic. His ability to buy a competitive seat in GP2 flattered him I thought. Does anyone here think that Vergne would keep his seat in any other team than Red Bull Kindergarden. De La rosa is a luxury for HRT as they need money to move forward.
In any event Pic's performance has sounded the death knell for Glock.

Edited by Petroltorque, 03 November 2012 - 16:13.

[MustangSally]

In any event Pic's performance has sounded the death knell for Glock.

How so? Glock is being retained and Pic has been let go. And Glock did score that all-important place that gives Marussia the 20m Caterham won't get. (Short of a miracle in the last couple of races.)

Pic has looked quite good though in his rookie season . . . running Glock quite close in qualy.

[Wingcommander]

How so? Glock is being retained and Pic has been let go. And Glock did score that all-important place that gives Marussia the 20m Caterham won't get. (Short of a miracle in the last couple of races.)

Pic has looked quite good though in his rookie season . . . running Glock quite close in qualy.

I dont think there's been anything official about next year's drivers. Glock has a contract, and in a recent interview John Booth said they would like to keep Pic. But apparently Pic has been in talks with Caterham, so it could be that he wants to leave. Pic has been impressive, and what has been important this year is that whenever the other driver has a bad weekend, the other one seems to be on form. I think Glock - Pic is a very good driver lineup for this team.

[Anders Torp]

Slightly OT: How many road cars do Marussia Motors sell?

Also, why was the mention of marussia in money trouble removed from the forum, I can't seem to find it/reason why where the topic has been closed/moved to?

Yup, strange.

[packapoo]

[quote name='Anders Torp' date='Nov 3 2012, 22:06' post='6004883']
Slightly OT: How many road cars do Marussia Motors sell?


As opposed to what; giving them away?

[Anders Torp]

As opposed to what; giving them away?

As opposed to nothing, really. But if you happen to know how many cars they built last year that would also be of interest.

[lambylamby]

The words let off the hook come to mind about todays race.

Although watching the laptimes, ahead of Petrov, but a little off the pace of Kova. Good to see Glock school Pic in race trim.

[lambylamby]

been looking at post race quotes, it looks like Marussia also set their car up for long gears for that straight, does anyone have a link for all the cars speed trap averages? Interestingly, it looked like Glock was keeping a nice gap away from Petrov and not losing out so much in the middle stint of the race to Kova. Makes me wonder what this team will achieve next season with kers, a solid easy adaptable chassis and Mr Glock behind the helm!

[Wingcommander]

Apparently Glock damaged his front wing at the start, but still a very good race from him. They had good straight line speed, because Petrov even with his KERS wasn't able to pass him, and was then left behind. Pic was also driving well while it lasted. Once again he suffered an air system problem on the engine. Someone (Cosworth?) should up their game, because they've had a few of those issues this year.

[lambylamby]

Apparently Glock damaged his front wing at the start, but still a very good race from him. They had good straight line speed, because Petrov even with his KERS wasn't able to pass him, and was then left behind. Pic was also driving well while it lasted. Once again he suffered an air system problem on the engine. Someone (Cosworth?) should up their game, because they've had a few of those issues this year.

yeah, just looked at S1 speed trap, Glock was right up there in the top 5...

[lambylamby]

With talks of McLaren getting peeved with Mercedes, does this open the door for Marussia to potentially go for the engines? You saying about the cosworth engines being not up to scratch Wingcommander, makes me wonder how BAD the Caterham must be aerodynamically, as Marussia aren't 'that' far behind lap time wise.

[Wingcommander]

I have no idea about the engines. Cosworth has enough power. They lagged behind with their engine maps last year, but nowadays that diffuser blowing thingy isnt as significant as last year. I was just pointing out the reliability problems, and the fact that the same problem has occurred several times this year. I don't know if it's Cosworth's or team's fault. Mercedes engines are probably more expensive, so i dont know if they can afford it or if it really is worth the extra money. I might be different when the turbos come. I dont think that the engines make any significant difference to performance between Caterham and Marussia, but i might be wrong.

[Petroltorque]

You're on the money. The difference toCcaterham is a KERS deficit. In addition Marussia are mastering Coanda exhaust technology that Caterham are struggling to make work.
I think Maclaren are unhappy at facing an £8 million bill for engines for 2013.

Edited by Petroltorque, 04 November 2012 - 19:27.

[PayasYouRace]

Marussia achieved one first today: First F1 car in Gibraltar.

Their sponsor H&M Security is opening an office here and they had a little event with a Marussia show car at the Piazza. The photos aren't great but I only had my phone on me.





The girl is red is our local hero Kaiane Aldorino who won Miss World in 2009













I'll try to upload a bit of video that I took too. Glad to say there was a nice little crowd turnout considering how little promotion there was.

[Disgrace]

I hate fake show cars. At least Red Bull mash together pieces from actual F1 cars.

Looking at the gearbox and the proportions, that tub likely comes from a junior series Manor would have participated in in the past.

The sidepod intakes have come from a Bob Bell Renault and the nose/front wing section resembles the launch-spec VR01 but isn't an actual article. Yuck.

[sesku]

That is pre-2008 tub. Can anybody guess where it from?

[Myrvold]

Super Aguri.

[PayasYouRace]

Well at least Kaiane is authentic

Anyway I managed a bit of video. Some AV fails on my part but at least you can see what was going on.

[lambylamby]

what to make of fp 1 & 2 today? GLock finished ahead of Petrov and had a better S2 than Kova - probably where the business will happen during the race.... Not sure, but it's looking positive for Marussia.

[Craigster]

what to make of fp 1 & 2 today? GLock finished ahead of Petrov and had a better S2 than Kova - probably where the business will happen during the race.... Not sure, but it's looking positive for Marussia.

I read something yesterday saying that the team is up for sale. Are they in as much of a mess as Marussia and just hiding it better?

[MailoFF]

where did you read?

[Myrvold]

It is said that they indeed are around 50 mill USD in debt.

[CatInTheBag]

I read its about £45mil, but expected to rise to £75mil after they made significant personel and facilities upgrade.

Hope all ends well.

[Craigster]

where did you read?

Oooh I can't remember because it wasnt one of the usual places you would expect to see this kind of thing. I will look again. It did say that the team is actually talking to buyers so I guess that is better than HRT already.

[DanardiF1]

It is said that they indeed are around 50 mill USD in debt.

But isn't that expected considering the investment needed by a startup F1 team?

That means in the 3 seasons they've been going, at a budget rumoured to be around 40m a season, they've still turned over around 70m, which considering they've been paying one driver, had budgeted but not mega-rich 2nd drivers, and have had to pay off Wirth Research etc. is not that bad really.

I've seen a fair bit of Marussia/Virgin merchandise over the last few years, so they're doing something right in that regard...

[lambylamby]

But isn't that expected considering the investment needed by a startup F1 team?

That means in the 3 seasons they've been going, at a budget rumoured to be around 40m a season, they've still turned over around 70m, which considering they've been paying one driver, had budgeted but not mega-rich 2nd drivers, and have had to pay off Wirth Research etc. is not that bad really.

I've seen a fair bit of Marussia/Virgin merchandise over the last few years, so they're doing something right in that regard...

The other thing they are doing is tweaking the car's sweet spots over the course of a season. Both outqualified the Caterhams, No Kers... Something is going very well and I spot the next few seasons now there is a better budget a good platform to build from. I think next year Williams Kers and keeping Cosworth is much more sensible than running a redbull rear package/redbull kers. Looks like they've developed the car well, hanging on to the back of Caterham's Kers advantage, things can only get a lot better...

[Wingcommander]

Feel gutted. Guess it just wasnt meant to be..

[Petroltorque]

This why I NEVER RATED Pic. By letting Alonso through at the beginning of the Reta Aposta he opened the door to Petrov, wtf? Alonso had enough grip to drive around him on the straight. I doubt Petrov could do the same without risk. It wasn't suspect but it was a $13.4 million mistake.

Edited by Petroltorque, 25 November 2012 - 18:28.

[levelord]

He doesn't care anymore Plus he adds $13.4m to his new team budget. But honestly Caterhem don't deserve 10th place.

[Wingcommander]

This why I NEVER RATED Pic. By letting Alonso through at the beginning of the Reta Aposta he opened the door to Petrov, wtf? Alonso had enough grip to drive around him on the straight. I doubt Petrov could do the same without risk. It wasn't suspect but it was a $13.4 million mistake.

Not for Pic though.

Well, on pure pace Caterham did deserve the 10th place. It's just disappointing that it happened this way. Marussia could have used the financial boost, now Caterham get the column 1 money (about $30m?) + the money from 10th place.

Anyway, i think it's been a very good season for Marussia. They seem to be on the right track and really closed on Caterham after a difficult first half of the season. Lets just hope they have the money to keep on improving. They need to keep on investing to get into top 10.

[Petroltorque]

You guys did a brilliant job at Marussia and that's coming from someone who's followed HRT. To lose tenth spot to such a weak move from Pic has left a bitter taste.

[dau]

This why I NEVER RATED Pic. By letting Alonso through at the beginning of the Reta Aposta he opened the door to Petrov, wtf? Alonso had enough grip to drive around him on the straight. I doubt Petrov could do the same without risk. It wasn't suspect but it was a $13.4 million mistake.

You NEVER RATED him because in the last lap of the season, 6 laps from the finish, he couldn't defend against a car with KERS and DRS that took advantage of Alonso lapping both of them? Oh come on.

[Petroltorque]

You NEVER RATED him because in the last lap of the season, 6 laps from the finish, he couldn't defend against a car with KERS and DRS that took advantage of Alonso lapping both of them? Oh come on.

I don't rate him because that manouvre showed a lack of race craft. The track was slippy. He gave up the race line to Alonso at the Beginning of the straight. He made a poor attempt to defend the position from the following Petrov.
That's not to say he would not have lost the position anyway but he just left the door open.

[dau]

I don't rate him because that manouvre showed a lack of race craft. The track was slippy. He gave up the race line to Alonso at the Beginning of the straight. He made a poor attempt to defend the position from the following Petrov.
That's not to say he would not have lost the position anyway but he just left the door open.

He's still in his rookie season, those were difficult conditions, he surely wanted to stay out of the way of the championship contenders and there was no way he could have stayed in front of Petrov anyway. Other drivers would have reacted better i guess, but solely blaming him for Marussia losing that 10th place is a bit harsh. Especially when his experienced team mate spent about half the race off the track.

Edited by dau, 25 November 2012 - 19:55.

[sesku]

He doesn't care anymore Plus he adds $13.4m to his new team budget. But honestly Caterhem don't deserve 10th place.

Why? Overall result of the season showed that Caterham has much better result than Marussia.

[olliek88]

He doesn't care anymore Plus he adds $13.4m to his new team budget. But honestly Caterhem don't deserve 10th place.

Caterham have been the better team all season, only in Singapore they made one bad strategy call and it happened to be a high attrition race which gave Marussia that important P12, today things equalled out.

Still, hard not to feel sorry for the Marussia guys/girls. So close to it but so far in the end.

[levelord]

Why? Overall result of the season showed that Caterham has much better result than Marussia.

Do i have to remind you what gap was between them in the beginning of this season? It was seconds back then. Now it 0.5 at most. Who have long ago obsolete Cosworth peace of crap engine and no KERS and yet delivers from race to race? Who did better job and who deserves 10th?

[Petroltorque]

Do i have to remind you what gap was between them in the beginning of this season? It was seconds back then. Now it 0.5 at most. Who have long ago obsolete Cosworth peace of crap engine and no KERS and yet delivers from race to race? Who did better job and who deserves 10th?

I'll think the Cosworth engine is nowhere near as bad as you make out. Marussia simply have the better platform.

[packapoo]

Shame that Marussia fell short at the finish.
Hope this doesn't impact on their 2013 season.
They're by far the best of the five tail end teams at saying nothing and just getting on with the job.

[Baddoer]

This why I NEVER RATED Pic. By letting Alonso through at the beginning of the Reta Aposta he opened the door to Petrov, wtf? Alonso had enough grip to drive around him on the straight. I doubt Petrov could do the same without risk. It wasn't suspect but it was a $13.4 million mistake.

Strategic thinking. He wants money in the team he will drive for, not the team he's leaving.

[Petroltorque]

Strategic thinking. He wants money in the team he will drive for, not the team he's leaving.

I don't think it's. That complex. The gap between pic and Petrov was small all race. He simply let Alonso through at the wrong place. Marussia weren't helped when glock's car was damaged by the hopeless Vergne.

Edited by Petroltorque, 25 November 2012 - 21:52.

[CatInTheBag]

Wish you all the best, from a fellow backmarker team fan.