Marussia, shocked, counterattacks

Marussia was keen to quickly deny a certain number of articles published on Tuesday October 14. In question, the fact that Jules Bianchi, still hospitalized in a serious but stable condition at the Yokkaïchi hospital in Japan, following his accident at the Japanese Grand Prix on October 5, had not slowed down under a double yellow flag , and especially allegations according to which Marussia asked its driver to accelerate to keep Marcus Ericsson's Caterham at bay at the end of the race. The team issued this press release.

“On Tuesday October 14, a number of media reports emerged suggesting:

1) that Jules Bianchi did not slow down under the double yellow flags displayed after the exit of Adrian Sutil.
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2) that the team urged Jules to go faster under the double yellow flags in order to keep Marcus Ericsson behind.

Marussia F1 Team is shocked and angered by these allegations. With its driver seriously injured in hospital, and the team making it clear that its priority is the care of Jules and his family, it is distressing to have to respond to rumors and inaccuracies deeply shocking regarding the circumstances of Jules' accident. However, since these allegations are completely false, the team has no choice but to respond.

Regarding point 1, Jules slowed down under the double yellow flags. This is an irrefutable fact, as proven by the telemetry data provided by the team to the FIA. At the FIA ​​press conference in Sochi on Friday 10 October, FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting confirmed that the team had provided this data, that he himself had reviewed this data and that Jules actually slowed down.

Regarding point 2, an audio copy of the full radio transmission between Jules and the team, and also a written transcription thereof, were provided to the FIA. It is clear that at no time in the period leading up to the accident was the team urging Jules to drive faster or making comments suggesting that he should do so. The team sincerely hopes that, having clarified these facts, they can now avoid further distractions from their primary goal at this time, which is to provide support for Jules and his family. »

Yesterday, a final press release from Marussia announced that Jules Bianchi's situation remained stable but still critical, while his father, Philippe, spoke in the columns of Gazzetta Dello Sport, confident that he would always have hope.

You can find our decryption of the FIA ​​report on the accident of Jules Bianchi, in issue 1982 of AUTOhebdo, available in digital version and on newsstands.