62 replies to this topic

[Ravenak]

Source: Inforsport+, which belongs to Canal+, the new French F1 broadcaster.

[Rosberg]

So is Jules Bianchi going in for the full season or until Razia sorts out the sponsorship mess.

[Ravenak]

No details now. The only thing I can say, is that Canal+ is going full throttle to cover F1 this year (similarly to Sky) and they are everywhere in the paddock in Barcelona.

I guess we'll have to wait a few days to find out more.

[Rosberg]

Well there was rumours going around that there was going to be a seat fitting for a driver and also Bianchi's manager refused to comment on the links between Bianchi and Marussia.

Also, will Marussia get engines out of this for 2014 since Bianchi is apart of the Ferrari academy.

[300KPh]

expected move , but is it paid for by ferrari or jules sponsors

[seahawk]

That solves the engine problem for the team.

[eronrules]

makes sense, specially when marussia is in dire need of an engine supplier for 2014, and logically, renaultsports can't supply another team, they already have their hands full (5) and merc has 3 customer as well, ferrari was left with 2 customer (SF and Sauber). no wonder there will be some discount thrown in as well.

[Vesuvius]

Wouldn't trust this news yet.

[noikeee]

makes sense, specially when marussia is in dire need of an engine supplier for 2014, and logically, renaultsports can't supply another team, they already have their hands full (5) and merc has 3 customer as well, ferrari was left with 2 customer (SF and Sauber). no wonder there will be some discount thrown in as well.

And he's a good driver, I'd rather have him than Razia (who is a GP2 vice-champ nevertheless so not useless but I see less potential in him), so they get to win there too.

There is one downside: how does this leave their relationship with McLaren, who will not be happy at a Ferrari driver being there.

[mattferg]

Thank god, my returning nightmares of Karthekayan being back on the grid are now over!

[Rosberg]

So four British drivers along with four French drivers and four Germans!

Oh and just wondering, who will be the reserve driver for Force India if Bianchi joins Marussia.

[Ravenak]

Wouldn't trust this news yet.

Jean-Louis Moncet (ex TF1 commentator) confirms this, even saying it would be announced tonight.

Wait & see

[Rosberg]

Jean-Louis Moncet (ex TF1 commentator) confirms this, even saying it would be announced tonight.

Wait & see

How many times have we heard that this season xD

[olliek88]

Autosport now running with it, i'd say its a done deal.

Think its a good move for Jules, i think even with the testing disadvantage he'll beat Chilton somehow.

[Lotusseven]

Wouldn't trust this news yet.

And now ? Trust it ?

[300KPh]

it have to be announced tonight , who is gonna drive the car tomorrow FFS

[Petroltorque]

Bianchi signing makes sense. He's probably too wild at present for a top team or a midfield team in a tight fight for points. His speed is not in question so Marussia will have a solid benchmark of their chassis and bianchi can refine his race craft.
I'm not sure how desireable a Ferrari powertrain would be. Best hope would be for Macca to get a Honda deal thus freeing up a supply from Merc.

Edited by Petroltorque, 01 March 2013 - 17:52.

[Rosberg]

Will we see Razia in the car this season? I'm sure it will all be clear either tonight or tomorrow.

[showtime]

And they were right! http://t.co/iamo8R2NIt

[Les]

Will we see Razia in the car this season? I'm sure it will all be clear either tonight or tomorrow.

Erm its pretty clear we won't be seeing him now. By comparison Razia makes Marco Apicella look like he had a long career (there's one for History Fan to research).

[Petroltorque]

Will we see Razia in the car this season? I'm sure it will all be clear either tonight or tomorrow.

Razia is out of the equation for a race seat. Might get some FP1 sessions if he can squeeze some cash from his backers.

[Sin]

feel sorry for Razia but happy for Bianchi getting a seat in the end

[Lone]

feel sorry for Razia but happy for Bianchi getting a seat in the end

I feel sorry for Kovalainen but happy for Bianchi getting a seat in the end.

[D.M.N.]

Marussia F1 Team ‏@Marussia_F1Team
We're pleased to announce that we've appointed Jules Bianchi to a race seat. This follows the termination of our contract with Luiz Razia
6:00 p.m. - Mar 1, 2013

[Anja]

On the team's website now.

http://www.marussiaf...m.com/news/762/

[ensign14]

And he's a good driver, I'd rather have him than Razia (who is a GP2 vice-champ nevertheless so not useless but I see less potential in him), so they get to win there too.

He was vice-champ via the Sospiri Route. I.e. stay in the formula for about twenty years until everyone else has grown up or given up.

There is one downside: how does this leave their relationship with McLaren, who will not be happy at a Ferrari driver being there.

Well, Bianchi has this ring binder from his Ferrari induction...

[CatInTheBag]

Well, at least he's better than Razia.

That said, Marussia better prepare a budget for his repairs. He's a bit of a Capt Bonkers. Can literally bankrupt the whole team with a little
effort.

[eronrules]

And he's a good driver, I'd rather have him than Razia (who is a GP2 vice-champ nevertheless so not useless but I see less potential in him), so they get to win there too.

There is one downside: how does this leave their relationship with McLaren, who will not be happy at a Ferrari driver being there.

their relationship is no doubt paid for. i don't see any deviation from their current relationship, kinda like ferrari and mclaren using toyota's WT. but glad to see marussia's engine trouble reduced for 2014, though both CT and MR are bottom team, it'd be nice to see them fighting none the less.

who knows, if Esteban fails, or sutil gone, may be bianchi will be promoted. it's kinda like Ricciardo in HRT. also good for ferrari to have another pet team on leash (ala sauber).

[lambylamby]

Good news. Hearing Bianchi fills me with slightly more than Razia. Although didn't bianchi bin his car testing last season?

[Fastcake]

Well I would of preferred Bianchi to Sutil in the Force India seat, so at least he gets a go. I think Bianchi is a little better than Razia, though far more erratic so it's no net gain.

[Mandzipop]

Bob Fearnley alluded to it when he was on Sky for winter testing this afternoon. He mentioned that not all doors were closed to Jules. It was something along those lines. Not sure if anyone else picked up on it. It did make me think at the time that he was probably in with a good shout for the seat.

[Francesc]

Marussia F1 Team ‏@Marussia_F1Team
We're pleased to announce that we've appointed Jules Bianchi to a race seat. This follows the termination of our contract with Luiz Razia
6:00 p.m. - Mar 1, 2013

This sounds like they're pleased to get rid of Razia.

[onewingedangel]

Bianchi wasn't allowed in the McLaren sim as a Force India third driver, and I doubt he would be as a Marussia driver either for as long as he is a Ferrari young driver. I bet at least officially he's leaving the Ferrari young driver scheme.

[Ravenak]

Who said it couldn't go that quickly?

Edited by Ravenak, 01 March 2013 - 18:32.

[Rosberg]

Is it the 2013 Silly Season over?

So who's going to be the test driver for Force India?

[TheUltimateWorrier]

Good news for Bianchi after being jerked around by Force India. It's a shame for Razia, as through no fault of his own sponsors let him down. But as Ted Kravitz just said if Marussia get Ferrari engines next year, then this may be much better in the long run for them.

Bianchi wasn't allowed in the McLaren sim as a Force India third driver, and I doubt he would be as a Marussia driver either for as long as he is a Ferrari young driver. I bet at least officially he's leaving the Ferrari young driver scheme.

Eh? They only just retained him as part of their academy in January.

[One]

Max plus Jules v.s. Guido plus Charles... huummm... Marussia wins....

[Rosberg]

Max plus Jules v.s. Guido plus Charles... huummm... Marussia wins....

Didn't they have a battle in GP2 and crashed a few times? Might of been mixed up with Luiz Razia.

[billm99uk]

Think its a good move for Jules, i think even with the testing disadvantage he'll beat Chilton somehow.

Well, he'd better. If he can't beat Maxie he will be a laughing stock

[Jackmancer]

Ferrari engines for Marussia next year?

[SCUDmissile]

Like I said in the other thread, he has been a bit of a hothead. His speed is not in question, but I hope like a lot of past WDCs will mature at a back marker team.

I like him, he will be interesting to watch.

[One]

Didn't they have a battle in GP2 and crashed a few times? Might of been mixed up with Luiz Razia.

(Max plus Jules) v.s. (Guido plus Charles)

[billm99uk]

And, if you haven't seen it, now would be a good time to post a link to Jules finest hour (to date anyway!

Bianchi v Vietoris Silverstone 2011

[sennafan]

Grosjean wil be happy. Jules "Torpedo" Bianchi will get all the atention.

[onewingedangel]

Eh? They only just retained him as part of their academy in January.

I don't think McLaren would let someone in their simulator who has access to the Ferrari simulator. Better for him to drop out of the Ferrari scheme for now (what benefit is it to him now he has a race seat?), race with Marussia and use the McLaren sim. If next year Ferrari choose to take a punt on him so be it, but he is not going to be trusted to have access to both for fear of information being taken to Ferrari (or vice versa).

[Myrvold]

Oh and just wondering, who will be the reserve driver for Force India if Bianchi joins Marussia.

Karthikeyan with some FP outings? A young guy with money, also driving GP2? Bianchi, just in case, then it's up to Marussia to get another driver. Or maybe Ferrari will call for Bianchi if Massa/Alonso can't drive?

[TecnoRacing]

11th hour Bianchi and Sutil signings definitely raise the quality of the 2013 grid a bit...

Cruel circumstances for Razia

[Rosberg]

Karthikeyan with some FP outings? A young guy with money, also driving GP2? Bianchi, just in case, then it's up to Marussia to get another driver. Or maybe Ferrari will call for Bianchi if Massa/Alonso can't drive?

What about James Rossiter? He did testing in Jerez so he could be a test driver.

[Myrvold]

What about James Rossiter? He did testing in Jerez so he could be a test driver.

Ding ding! Ye, good point!

[DanardiF1]

Erm its pretty clear we won't be seeing him now. By comparison Razia makes Marco Apicella look like he had a long career (there's one for History Fan to research).

I think with Free Practice, a whole hour of qualifying and warm up on Sunday morning... even Marco Apicella got more F1 miles under his belt than Razia!

And those miles were technically 'competitive' ones as well!