Art of Gears
Fansided

The History of Marussia F1

By David Castro

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: The drivers helmet of Max Chilton of Great Britain and Marussia during previews to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 13, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: The drivers helmet of Max Chilton of Great Britain and Marussia during previews to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 13, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) /
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NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JUNE 29: Jules Bianchi of France and Marussia attends the drivers autograph session following qualifying for the British Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit on June 29, 2013 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JUNE 29: Jules Bianchi of France and Marussia attends the drivers autograph session following qualifying for the British Formula One Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit on June 29, 2013 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) /

2014: Hope & Tragedy

For 2014 Marussia F1 switched to a Ferrari powerplant but retained the same driver tandem of Bianchi and Chilton for the MR03.

Optimism was high for the young team after Bianchi finished ninth at the Monaco Grand Prix and scored the first points in team history. It was a great drive for two points, as Bianchi started 21st and worked his way to the Top 10. Tragically it was the high water mark for Bianchi’s racing career.

On October 5, 2014 at the Japanese Grand Prix Bianchi struck a service tractor that was attending to Adrian Sutil’s Sauber. Bianchi sustained massive brain trauma and would never regain consciousness.

Bianchi passed away on July 17, 2015. He was 25 years old and his death rocked the motor sports world.

“I think it was Jules’s warmth that struck a chord,” he says. “We had all become good pals and, had he lived, I think that would have continued wherever he had gone in the future. I have run lots of gifted young drivers over the years, but have never known anyone who could unite people in the manner that Jules could.” –  Marussia F1 team principal John Booth 

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