The Marussia F1 Team has decided to run one car only at its home grand prix in Sochi this weekend as a mark of respect to Jules Bianchi.
“We have written to the Stewards of the Meeting to inform them that we have withdrawn our second car,” reads an official team statement. “Notwithstanding the presence in Sochi of Alexander Rossi, the nominated Official Reserve Driver for the 2014 Russian Grand Prix, the Team feels strongly that fielding a single car, that of driver number 4, Max Chilton, is the appropriate course of action under the difficult circumstances of the weekend.”
In a touching gesture, the team has prepared a car for Bianchi, which will remain in the garage.
“Jules’ car crew have built a second car, which has been scrutineered and is ready to race, and this will remain on his side of the garage throughout the weekend. In support of Jules and his family, the Team and its cars will carry the familiar #JB17 graphic, to ensure that, although Jules is not with us in Sochi this weekend, he is, nonetheless, racing on with the Marussia F1 Team.”
Also nice to see is Max Chilton’s words, where perhaps being in a less competitive team affords intra-garage rivalries to be more friendly.
“I don’t know how to put into words how truly devastated I am by what has happened to Jules,” Chilton said. “The support from the F1 family has been incredible and all we can do is be there to support Jules’ family at this difficult time. It is going to be a very emotional weekend for the whole Team, but we will try to get through it and keep praying for Jules.”
[Source: Marussa F1 Team]