Marussia: A Computer Virus and Doubts
Winter testing is no easy task so far for the Marussia team: plagued by numerous problems, the Russian outfit is significantly behind schedule, which could potentially delay the start of the MR03's season.
Among the teams in difficulty, Marussia is like a very sick patient. With only 29 laps of the Sakhir circuit in four days, covering approximately 187 km, the Anglo-Russian structure finds itself at the bottom of the rankings in terms of total mileage this season, with 289 km when combining the Jerez and Bahrain tests.
A situation that results from several different problems, starting with a computer virus: « It began with the first disaster, which was a virus similar to a “Trojan horse” […] that cost us most of the day. It set the tone for the weekend, » explained, with a touch of humor, John Booth, the director of the team.
« On the second day, we did 17 laps and it was OK, we were working without problems, but then, on Friday, we lost a big part of the day with an engine problem and it took all day to change, » he continues with our British colleagues from Autosport.
« The last day was a series of small problems, and the small problems with these cars take time to be fixed. In the morning, we had a warning light for the ERS, but it turned out to be a false alarm, so it was two hours wasted. Then there was a fuel system problem, which did not come from Ferrari but from us. » Thus he concludes the inventory of difficulties encountered by Marussia in Bahrain.
A set of problems that does not allow the team to progress: « Things like that slow us down, but I don’t think we’ve had the same problems twice, which is amazing because usually you have recurring problems. » And could this call into question the first Grand Prix of the season, in Melbourne, on March 16th? « I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried at all. It’s nice to think you can fix the problems, but you have to prove it. But I have a lot of hope. »
Even if the situation is critical, reasons for satisfaction are emerging: « We haven’t done anything in terms of settings, but that being said, the feedback from the drivers is that they feel comfortable with [the car]. » The braking system is also operational: « The brakes are very good and we have improved that over the week. »
The program will be loaded during the next session, which will take place from February 27 to March 2: « We only have a few days until the next four days of testing, and we must only maximize what we have left. » These tests will be covered live and in full on Motors Inside.
