The Virgin outfit will drop its 100% CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) approach to development on the back of a poor start to their second season.
This comes on the back of news that the outfit has split with Nick Wirth of Wirth Research, also their technical director, as confirmed by Andy Webb, Marussia Virgin CEO.
Virgin had set a precedent among rivals as the only team to solely rely on CFD as a base of development, unlike their competitors they refused to use costly wind tunnels to keep costs low and ensure they could operate on a budget of around £40 million.
Their target of reaching Q2 on a regular basis hasn’t become a reality and the gap to Team Lotus is steadily growing. This has prompted the split from Wirth and instead they will set up their own base within the United Kingdom.
According to the team, plans are already well advanced with the ex-Super Aguri facility in Leafield at the top of their list.
The plans, they hope, will see them take greater control with input from significant shareholder Marussia, whilst maintaining the aim of fighting for a podium at the inaugural Russian Grand Prix in 2014.
“The decision has been taken that the team will take greater control of its own destiny,” Webb told Autosport.
“Accordingly, having consulted with our existing technical partner during the course of the past few weeks, we have been obliged to terminate our relationship with them [Wirth].
“Integral to this review has been an evaluation of the technical direction of Marussia Virgin Racing. Marussia’s goal remains to be in a position to be able to challenge for a podium finish at the inaugural Russian Grand Prix in Sochi 2014.”
The team understand to achieve such a feat, major development plans must be put into place. In order to do this effectively, they are being advised by former Renault director of engineering, Pat Symonds.
“It is readily apparent that the team must take major steps in order to accelerate its rate of improvement,” continued Webb.
“Looking ahead, we will now be pursuing an alternative technical path and look forward to announcing our plans in more detail over the coming weeks.”
It’s thought those ‘future’ plans include a tie-up with McLaren, similar to the Woking outfits technical partnership with Force India and possibly the supply of Mercedes engines.
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