Virgin splits from Nick Wirth
After Williams and Ferrari, it’s Marussia Virgin Racing’s turn to make changes in its technical department. Thus, after a more than mediocre start to the season where the home drivers are battling with the HRT, Virgin has decided to part ways with its technical director, Nick Wirth. The team’s objective was to make progress compared […]
After Williams and Ferrari, it’s Marussia Virgin Racing’s turn to make changes in its technical department. Thus, after a more than mediocre start to the season where the home drivers are battling with the HRT, Virgin has decided to part ways with its technical director, Nick Wirth.
The team’s objective was to make progress compared to last season and be able to regularly play in Q2. After six races, it is clear that the MRV02 is far from achieving that goal.
The separation between Wirth and Virgin is not really a surprise. The poor performance of the MRV02, plus the arrival of Pat Symonds as a consultant were all signs that the axe was not far from falling.
« The decision was made that the team would have greater control over its destiny, » explains Andy Webb, team boss to Autosport. « After consulting our technical partners in recent weeks, we were forced to end our relationships with them. »
« I believe that the changes we are making at the level of our technical and operational management will provide us with the solid foundations necessary to move forward and achieve our goals in the coming years. These are bold but positive measures that will allow us to move forward with confidence, » says Andy Webb.
This decision comes as most teams are starting to think about the next season. While the MRV02 will still receive some updates from Wirth Research, the design of the 2012 car will be entrusted to Pat Symonds, who will operate as a consultant, as the Englishman cannot be fully involved in F1 until 2013.
« At this time of year, it is common for all teams to start looking at the upcoming seasons while continuing to develop this season’s car for the remaining races, » explains Webb.
The Virgin team could establish its own technical department in the Leafield factory, where Super Aguri had previously settled. The team is also in discussions with McLaren and Mercedes for a technical agreement similar to that of Force India (supply of engines, KERS, and certain rear-end components) for the next season.
