Marussia launch MR01 at Silverstone

Marussia have finally launched their 2012 car, named the MR01.

After a very long wait, Marussia F1 Team have launched their 2012 car, the MR01. The car was launched at Silverstone and Timo Glock drove some laps of the circuit, using Pirelli's demonstration tyres.


Glock driving the MR01

The Team Principal John Booth said “We are very pleased to be running the new MR01 for the first time this morning. It has been a long and frustrating wait for everyone in the team but we can now get back on track – literally – and start working towards the first race of the season in Australia next weekend. Today is the first of two promotional events, so while the drivers will be able to get a feel for the car, they won’t be able to draw any real conclusions until we start running in anger in Melbourne. Nevertheless, this is an important day for us and we’ll enjoy every minute on track with the new car.” The team's drivers Charles Pic and Timo Glock were at the launch, with the German driving the car on track today.

Marussia, who were known as Virgin in 2010 and 2011, have not tested their 2012 car at any of the three tests. They used their 2011 car, the MVR-02, at the first Barcelona test, but their MR01 failed an FIA crash test, which meant that amendments have being made.

Keep with my blog for all the opinions, launches and testing updates throughout the winter, as we count down to the Australian Grand Prix.