In an interview with the media today, Marussia Team Principal Graeme Lowdon has refused to give details as to why Max Chilton was booted out of his race-seat only to be brought back hours later.
Marussia announced on Thursday that Alexander Rossi would replace Chilton for the Belgian GP in light of “contractual issues.” However, Chilton’s PR personnel have claimed that he voluntarily gave up his seat to help the team raise money.
But less than 24 hours later, though, the team stated that Chilton would be back in the car after FP1. When asked by the media to expand on what happened, Lowdon said the following:-
‘It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the details of the contractual issues because that is confidential between parties involved. So there is nothing we can really say on that. This is a result of a change in circumstances.
‘Obviously it is not within the team’s decision to unilaterally change a driver, we have to request it with the stewards which we did and the stewards approved it. It is important to highlight all of that happened before FP1. It was no reflection on any driving at all. I have to say Alex Rossi acquitted himself incredibly well.’
My first thoughts on hearing that Rossi would not be getting his debut this weekend and Chilton was able to race as was originally planned was one of disappointment and also of content too. Of course there is no question that Rossi will be disappointed not to be racing this weekend and I am glad that Chilton’s “contractual issues” were resolved as quickly as they surfaced and he was allowed by the stewards to race this weekend.
But I feel that Lowdon is correct not to state the reasons why this decision yesterday and also today has taken place. As Lowdon says himself due to reasons of confidentiality, he cannot say anything regarding the matter but I do feel that something is not quite right within the team but nothing has been confirmed by the Marussia team at this time.
Further on in his interview today, when pressed as to whether Chilton’s seat was now secure, Lowdon added the following:-
‘The intention of the team is that it (Chilton and Jules Bianchi) is our driver line-up and that is what it will be for the whole season. That is certainly what we are working towards. We have seen there are things that can cause hiccups and changes in that, and that is just how things are.’
As Lowdon has publically stated his commitment to ensure that the contracts with Bianchi and Chilton are met and both will be racing for the team until the end of the season. But as he rightly points out, anything can change within Formula One and I am sure that Lowdon will be preparing just in case things don’t work according to their plans.
In the latter stages of his interview, when he asked about Rossi, who joined Marussia from Caterham last month, Lowdon has stated that Friday’s practice run would not be his last opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car. He said the following regarding Rossi:-
‘We have not had Alex with the team very long, so he was probably quite surprised to be called up to stand in for a grand prix quite so quick. He has conducted himself really well, and it’s great to have him on the team.
‘I’ve huge respect for Alex, he’s done a tremendous job, and what has happened is part and parcel of the professional life he leads. He is a professional race driver and he has taken it in his stride. For Alex, it’s not the first time he has been in a Formula One car, and it won’t be the last I’m sure.’
Even though Rossi has not been at the Marussia team for very long, it is clear that Lowdon and the Marussia team are pleased with how he has settled into the team and also the job he is doing for them at the moment. And that is great to see. I would have to agree with Lowdon and I have respect for Rossi after events that happened in the last two days and he has taken it all in his stride and also in a professional manner that has impressed pundits and fans.
I do agree that it won’t be long until Rossi gets his Formula One debut. If things change at Marussia before the end of the season in Abu Dhabi, we could very well see Rossi get his chance. If that doesn’t happen, I believe Rossi is in with a very good chance for 2015 with the Marussia team.
But what the events that have happened in the past two days, I do believe that even though we would all love to know the reasons behind the decisions Marussia have made with their drive line up, Lowdon is correct not to inform us why due to confidentiality issues.
But what is clear is that things within Marussia are not what they appear to be on the surface and there is more to this situation than meets the eye. But until Marussia confirm the reasons why this has taken place, we can only speculate as and what the reasons for this decision are. But is it money or is it something more serious? Only time will tell.
