The Marussia F1 Team came close to securing 10th place in the Constructors’ Championship, but in the end they left Brazil devastated after losing out to Caterham.
The outfit held the positon following Timo Glock’s 12th place at the Singapore Grand Prix and therefore looked likely to grab the additional prize money – in the region of £10 million – for finishing in the top ten.
However it wasn’t meant to be as Caterham’s Vitaly Petrov made the best of a chaotic race to snatch 11th and the much sought after WCC position which left Marussia team principal John Booth with a bitter pill to swallow.
“Today is an emotional day for everyone involved with the Marussia F1 Team. 10th place has eluded us after such a long fight and, naturally, ‘disappointed’ doesn’t even come close,” he said.
“We made all the right calls and our strategy worked out perfectly, but in the end we lost out due to factors beyond our control.”
Looking at the big picture though, and Booth says he’s happy with the team has achieved since the Australian GP back in March.
“Much has been made of closing the gap to Caterham, but at the same time we have reduced the delta to the mid-field and the front of the field. For example, in Australia the gap between our own fastest lap and the winner’s fastest lap was 4.5%, whilst in the closing stages of the season we have reduced that to 2.5% – again, without KERS. So if we reflect on our big picture, it is even more encouraging than may have been apparent.
“I would like to thank the whole team back at base and trackside, including our engine supplier Cosworth, for a huge push. The same must be said of our drivers Timo and Charles; Charles of course we say goodbye to today. Our sincere appreciation also to our Partners, Investors and Suppliers for sharing the journey this season. Here’s to 2013, the advantage of KERS and some very encouraging signs that things can only get better for us.”
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