Marussia MR03 launch and test delayed

Marussia Formula 1 Team will not being running their 2014 challenger when the first day of pre-season testing begins tomorrow in Spain as the team confirmed that the MR03’s 2014 testing debut would be delayed due to a technical fault:

“@Marussia_F1Team The #MR03’s testing debut is subject to a delay while we resolve a small but frustrating technical issue”

Originally set to test the MR03 across all four days of the first Formula 1 test of the new season, during a final inspection of the car a ‘small but frustrating’ technical glitch was found. Instead of attempting to rectify the problem at the track in Jerez, Spain, the team opted to hold the car back at their headquarters in Banbury, UK to iron out the problem.

Speaking with Autosport’s Jon Noble earlier today, Marussia Team Principal John Booth confirmed the details of the hold up:

“While our car build ran pretty much according to schedule, we have encountered a small and frustrating teething problem, which we have been working to resolve back at the Marussia Technical Centre in Banbury.

It makes sense to address this while we still have all of the equipment and technical personnel in one place.

Our aim is to solve this issue as soon as possible and send the MR03 on its way to Jerez, where the team have set up and are awaiting its arrival.”

There will be enough time for the team to get the MR03 to Jerez before testing finishes on January 31st, but the team is yet to confirm whether or not the car issues will be rectified in time.

Switching to Ferrari engines for 2014, Marussia’s driver lineup remains the same as last year with Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton behind the wheels.

The second 2014 Formula 1 pre-season test takes place in Bahrain from February 19-22.