Mar.2 (GMM) Marussia has ousted contracted 2013 driver Luiz Razia, replacing him with the Ferrari-linked Jules Bianchi just two weeks before the new season.

Rookie Brazilian Razia, who was conspicuously absent at recent winter testing, reportedly lost the crucial backing of a Swiss sponsor.

"Having made clear the basis on which we must operate in 2013, we had no alternative but to remain true to the principles which we had identified as being key to securing our long term future," said team boss John Booth.

Frenchman Bianchi only just emerged on the market, having hoped to secure the Force India seat now occupied by F1 returnee Adrian Sutil.

The news is a clear sign Marussia will be Ferrari-powered in 2014, with its existing supplier Cosworth set to leave the sport at the end of the season.

Indeed, Ferrari said in a statement it will continue to "provide him (Bianchi) all our support, compatible with the needs of his new team".

Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button have revealed that their respective teams might struggle to fight for victory in Melbourne in two weeks.

Ferrari's Alonso admitted to British broadcaster Sky that the pace of the new F138 is "a little bit behind the top teams".

And McLaren's Button said the MP4-28 is "not quite there in terms of pace".

Their words reinforces the feeling that Red Bull and Lotus are leading the field, but Button also said: "One team that has been consistently quick on their runs, more than anyone else, is the Mercedes."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version

F1 News  F1 Schedule  F1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  F1 Tickets  Live F1 Coverage

Full Version: Formula 1 News  Formula 1 Schedule  Formula 1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  Live F1 Coverage  10 'n' Pole  F1 Regulations  The Forums  Motorsport Shop  F1 Merchandise  F1 Tickets  F1 Diecast  F1 Videos  F1 Games