Marussia has confirmed it will not participate in the final pre-season test in Barcelona this week, after its 2012 chassis failed one of the mandatory FIA crash tests.
The team hasn’t had a chance to run its new car yet, meaning its on-track debut will likely take place at the season opening race in Australia later in March.
“The Marussia F1 Team is disappointed to confirm that the planned first test of its 2012 race car – the MR01 – has been delayed as a consequence of not passing the final FIA crash test,” read a statement.
“All cars are required to pass 18 FIA-observed tests for homologation to be granted. Despite the fact that the MR01 has passed all 17 of the preceding tests, the regulations require the car to have completed all of the tests before running commences.
“The team will now not take part in the final pre-season test in Barcelona later this week (1-4 March) and will instead focus its efforts on repeating the crash test at the end of the week.”
Marussia is the only team to not have passed all 18 mandatory crash tests, with HRT earlier confirming it had been given the all clear last Friday.
The team took its 2011 car to the second pre-season test to give rookie Charles Pic some time behind the wheel. This latest news will be a big blow to his and Timo Glock’s hopes of starting the season with some knowledge of the new car.
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