Jules Bianchi Latest Update: Marussia F1 Team Might Not Compete In Abu Dhabi
The Marussia Formula One Racing Team has vowed to defend their position in the World Championship in honour of their injured driver Jules Bianchi. Despite the team's determination, they might have to defend their ninth position in the constructor's race in absentia in the last Grand Prix of the season.
While Bianchi still lies in a Japanese hospital fighting for his life, the Marussia team might not be able to compete in the upcoming final race at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. They will have to defend their position from the stands if they are unable to scrape up the funds and find a new investor to back up their campaign. The final race will be held on Nov 23. And the team and all their equipment have only a few days left in order to make it in time to participate.
As it stands, the team is ninth in the constructor's race with two points. Those two championship points were secured by Jules Bianchi in Monaco earlier this year. Since his life threatening injury following a crash in Suzuka in October, the team has vowed to keep fighting to keep their place in the championship. Another financially challenged team Caterham, as well as the Sauber-Ferrari Team are both sitting below Marussia in the championship race with neither team able to secure any points so far.
Marussia and Caterham both missed the USA Grand Prix in Austin, Texas as well as the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paolo. The Sauber team competed but failed to score any points which means that status quo remains at the bottom of the Formula One Constructor's Championship table.The final race will be awarding double points for the first time ever and if Marussia intend to keep their word in maintaining their position in honour of Bianchi, it would be best for them to field cars on the track and fend off their rivals.
According to financial website This Is Money, the Russian backers of the team have pulled out and they now only have a couple of days left to find a bail out. Over 20 million British pounds would be needed to keep the team afloat during the winter. If the team is able to participate in the 2015 season, an additional 35 million pounds will be obtained by the team as a result of this year's performance.
No official announcement has been made by the Marussia Team if they will be pulling out of the final race or out of the 2015 Championship. Meanwhile, Mercedes Drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are battling for the Driver's World title after the team has already secured the Constructor's crown.
(A previous version of this story reported incorrectly that the USA Grand Prix was held in Houston, Texas.)