Razia completes Marussia’s 2013 driver line up

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Published time: February 06, 2013 11:31
Edited time: February 06, 2013 15:31

Russia’s Marussia Formula 1 team have signed Brazilian driver, Luiz Razia, for the remaining seat in the 2013 season.

­Razia, who was Marussia’s test driver in 2010, will join another F1 rookie, Max Chilton of Great Britain, in the team.  

The 23-year-old has competed in GP2 during the past two years, finishing as runner up in 2012.

“It is fantastic to be back with the Marussia F1 Team and with pretty much the same group of people I worked with back in 2010 when I was Reserve Driver,” Razia told his team’s official website. “Having been in that position, I know this Team rewards determination and success in its young drivers, the intention of its Program being to school the next generation of racing driver. I am very proud to take the step up to a Formula 1 race seat, particularly with the Team I began this journey with, since they helped show me what it takes to progress to the highest level.”

“The past two seasons in GP2 have been all about proving that I have what it takes and that I’m ready. This coming season will be all about rewarding the faith the Team have shown in me,” he added.

On Wednesday Razia appeared behind the wheel of Marussia MR02 during testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain.  

“We are pleased to have concluded our driver line-up, which means that we can now focus all our attentions on what looks set to be a very promising 2013 season,” John Booth, Marussia’s team principal, stressed. “Luiz isn’t new to our Team of course, having been Reserve Driver in our debut season in 2010 and part of our Young Driver Programme. It is therefore very pleasing to have not one but two graduates of that Programme driving for us in 2013, and also very exciting, since both Luiz and Max demonstrated a great deal of potential competing alongside each other in GP2 last season.”

The Brazilian replaces experienced German driver, Timo Glock, who’s been with Marussia for the last three seasons.

There’s only one vacant spot remaining in the Formula 1 championships, with Force India yet to announce the name of Paul di Resta’s partner.

The new F1 season will start on March 17 with Melbourne hosting the Australian Grand Prix.