Marussia replace Luiz Razia with fellow rookie Jules Bianchi // A last minute switch at Marussia gives Bianchi a race seat at last
Published by Christine
Just as we thought the 2013 driver line-up was complete throughout the F1 field, Marussia have made an unexpected switch. Luiz Razia hasn’t been spotted testing for the past two weeks, and talk of contract negotiations was in the air. Today, those negotiations have fully broken down, with Marussia confirming they have parted company with Razia and signed fellow rookie Jules Bianchi instead.
Bianchi has shown some great pace in recent tests, in various different cars, and he was in the running for the Force India race seat until this very week. Now, the Frenchman has got his F1 debut in a different car, joining Marussia just in time to squeeze in some last minute testing in Barcelona.
Team Principal John Booth talked of Razia’s contract termination, and that it was necessary for the long-term future of the team. Of Bianchi, he said: “Jules is a proven talent who is highly regarded within the paddock. He’s been on a clear trajectory towards F1 and has achieved impressive performances through the various feeder formulae.”
