Marussia hits reverse on Chilton seat swap

Marussia has hit reverse after saying on Thursday Max Chilton would not be racing this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.

The backmarker team drafted in Californian Alexander Rossi, who is in Chilton’s car for first practice for the Belgian grand prix on Friday.

But Briton Chilton, who claimed on Thursday he had relinquished the seat so Marussia could "sell" it to Rossi, will now be back in the car in the afternoon and beyond.

The team had said on Thursday that "contractual issues" had caused the seat swap.

"On Friday morning, the team formally applied to change their nominated driver from Rossi back to Chilton for this weekend’s race. The request was approved by the stewards," read a report posted on F1’s official website.