Marussia MR03

Marussia MR03 (top) driven by Jules Bianchi, MR03B (bottom) driven by Roberto Merhi
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMarussia
Designer(s)John McQuilliam (Chief Designer)
Richard Taylor (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorMarussia MR02
SuccessorManor MRT05
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon-fibre composite
Suspension (front)Carbon-fibre wishbone and pushrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
Suspension (rear)Carbon-fibre wishbone and pullrod suspension elements operating inboard torsion bar and damper system
EngineFerrari 059/3 1.6 L (98 cu in) V6, turbo
TransmissionSemi-automatic, sequential
8 forward gears, 1 reverse gear
Weight691 kg (1,523 lb) (2014)
702 kg (1,548 lb) (2015)
FuelShell
LubricantsValvoline Racing Synthetic VR1 Motor Oil 5W-40
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)
Competition history
Notable entrantsMarussia F1 Team
Manor Marussia F1 Team
Notable drivers4. United Kingdom Max Chilton[2]
17. France Jules Bianchi[3]
28. United Kingdom Will Stevens[4]
53. United States Alexander Rossi
98. Spain Roberto Merhi[4]
Debut2014 Australian Grand Prix
Last event
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
350000

The Marussia MR03 is a Formula One racing car designed and built by the Marussia F1 Team. It competed for part of the 2014 Formula One season,[5] before the team went into administration in November 2014.[6] Following the team's resurrection as Manor Marussia F1, the car raced as the MR03B after modifications were made to enable it to compete in, and meet the regulations in place for, 2015.[7]

This was the first Formula One car to run on Valvoline lubricant since the Lotus 91 in 1982 despite the MR03 car's fuel was supplied by Shell V-Power.

Marussia MR03

Max Chilton driving the MR03 at the 2014 Singapore Grand Prix

The MR03 was driven in 2014 by Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton, both of whom returned to the team for a second consecutive season.[2][3] The car was the first car designed by Marussia to use an engine built by Ferrari,[8] the 059/3.[9] In general terms, and compared to previous years' cars, the MR03 performed better relative to the opposition. In addition, with this car, Bianchi recorded his and Marussia's first points ever in Formula One at the Monaco Grand Prix.

As a result of the serious crash that involved Bianchi at the Japanese Grand Prix – and which caused his death nine months later – for the subsequent and inaugural Russian Grand Prix the team decided to only race with Chilton. This decision was made after the team's initial registration of their reserve driver, American rookie Alexander Rossi.[10] As a further sign of respect and support, the MR03 featured a "#JB17" livery on the sides of the cockpit, being a reference to Bianchi's initials and race number.

After entering into administration in late October 2014, the team did not attend a race event for the first time in its history resulting, therefore, in the MR03 not being fielded at the United States Grand Prix.[11] With the team folding in November 2014, the MR03 did not further participate in the 2014 Formula One season.

Marussia MR03B

Will Stevens driving the MR03B at the 2015 Canadian Grand Prix

Following special FIA permission sought by the Manor-Marussia team in February 2015, the car was modified into the MR03B after basic modifications to meet 2015 regulations, pending a new chassis being built – that ultimately never materialised. The revised car differed most notably in the nosecone area and had to weigh more, from 691 kg (1,523 lb) to 702 kg (1,548 lb), due to new technical specifications in 2015. The MR03B continued to bear the "#JB17" logo in honour of Jules Bianchi.[12]

Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi were contracted to drive,[4] but the late rescue package meant that the car arrived at the opening round of the season without any form of testing.[7] Ultimately, they did not qualify for the race, as they had not participated in qualifying or any session during the weekend. This was due mostly in part to the team's computers being wiped clean of data in the days leading up to the auction; the oversight went completely undetected by the entire team until the days before the Grand Prix when the car was being assembled in Australia. The team was cleared of any malicious wrongdoing by the FIA after a hearing,[13] and resolved their software issues in time for the next event.

Alexander Rossi driving the reliveried MR03B at the 2015 United States Grand Prix

During the Canadian Grand Prix and British Grand Prix, the car received new liveries for use for the remainder of the 2015 season thanks to new sponsors Airbnb and Flex-Box, respectively an accommodation rental company and a shipping and storage container manufacturer and supplier.[14][15] In addition to the new livery, the MR03B also received its first technical updates at the British Grand Prix.[15]

At the 2015 United States Grand Prix, the MR03B featured a further revised livery – adding the stars and the stripes from the flag of the United States  – and a new sponsor Coupons.com,[16] which was introduced with Rossi on his third race for the team. Rossi replaced Merhi for five out of the last seven races of the season, competing in the races that did not clash with his main campaign, in the GP2 Series.[17]

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Pts WCC
2014 Marussia F1 Team MR03 Ferrari 059/3 P AUS MAL BHR CHN ESP MON CAN AUT GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN JPN RUS USA BRA ABU‡ 2 9th
Max Chilton 13 15 13 19 19 14 Ret 17 16 17 16 16 Ret 17 18 Ret
Jules Bianchi NC Ret 16 17 18 9 Ret 15 14 15 15 18† 18 16 20†
2015 Manor Marussia F1 Team MR03B Ferrari 059/3 P AUS MAL CHN BHR ESP MON CAN AUT GBR HUN BEL ITA SIN JPN RUS USA MEX BRA ABU 0 10th
Will Stevens DNP DNS 15 16 17 17 17 Ret 13 16† 16 15 15 19 14 Ret 16 17 18
Roberto Merhi DNP 15 16 17 18 16 Ret 14 12 15 15 16 13 19
Alexander Rossi 14 18 12 15 18

† Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.
‡ Teams and drivers scored double points at the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

References

  1. ↑ "Marussia MR03 Ferrari". f1technical.net. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  2. 1 2 Tremayne, Sam; Straw, Edd (11 January 2014). "Max Chilton retains Marussia seat for 2014 Formula 1 season". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 11 January 2014. Max Chilton will line up alongside Jules Bianchi again in 2014, after Marussia confirmed it will retain the Briton for a second year, making the announcement at AUTOSPORT International
  3. 1 2 "Jules Bianchi will remain with the Marussia Formula 1 team for 2014". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 3 October 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Freeman, Glenn (9 March 2015). "Roberto Merhi to race for Manor F1 team in Australian Grand Prix". Autosport.com. Haymarket Media Group. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Marussia_F1Team". @Marussia_F1Team. Twitter, Inc. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014. Great to see @Jules_Bianchi in the house today, eyeing up the new #MR03. We said "smile" & @Rory_f1 kindly obliged!
  6. ↑ "Marussia F1 team fold after crisis talks". BBC Sport. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 Collantine, Keith (12 March 2015). "Manor F1 car appears in Australia". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  8. ↑ "Marussia gets Ferrari engines for 2014". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  9. ↑ "Presentation of the new Ferrari power unit". ferrari.com. Scuderia Ferrari. 20 December 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  10. ↑ "Chilton to be Marussia's sole entrant in Russia". formula1.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  11. ↑ "Marussia and Caterham to miss US Grand Prix - Bernie Ecclestone". BBC. 25 October 2014.
  12. ↑ "Booth anticipating 'tough' Monaco weekend". GP Update. 18 May 2015.
  13. ↑ "FIA clears Manor over qualifying absence". GP Update. GP Update. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  14. ↑ Smith, Luke (5 June 2015). "Manor secures partnership with Airbnb". NBC Sports. NBC. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  15. 1 2 "F1 British Grand Prix: Manor reveals revised livery with new sponsor deal". crash.net. 2 July 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  16. ↑ Saunders, Nate (23 October 2015). "Manor tweaks U.S. Grand Prix livery with American flag". ESPN UK. ESPN EMEA Ltd. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  17. ↑ Parkes, Ian (16 September 2015). "Alexander Rossi replaces Roberto Merhi at Manor for five F1 GPs". autosport.com. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
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