Marussia Will Run One Car In Russia Out Of Respect For Injured Bianchi

After mulling over whether or not to replace Jules Bianchi, the Marussia F1 Team has announced it will run just one car in the Russian Grand Prix weekend out of respect.

The Frenchman remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital after suffering a diffuse axonal head injury at the Japanese Grand Prix. Marussia had registered reserve driver Alexander Rossi on the FIA entry list for the race weekend, but the 23-year-old American will not be racing alongside Max Chilton.

Bianchi’s mechanics built a second MR03, but it will remain in the garage throughout the weekend. The entire F1 grid will run with “Tous avec Jules” (“all with Jules) stickers on their helmets.

In a statement, Marussia said:

“The team feels strongly that fielding a single car, that of driver number 4, Max Chilton, is the appropriate course of action under the difficult circumstances of the weekend.”

Chilton, meanwhile, said:

“I don’t know how to put into words how truly devastated I am by what has happened to Jules. The support from the F1 family has been incredible and all we can do is be there to support Jules’ family at this difficult time. It is going to be a very emotional weekend for the whole team, but we will try to get through it and keep praying for Jules.”