Marussia MR02 launch: First pictures

2013 F1 cars

February 5, 2013 at 7:23 am by Keith Collantine

The Marussia MR02 has been revealed by the team at the dawn of the first day of testing for the 2013 season.

It marks a step forward from last year when they failed to complete their car in time for it to run during pre-season testing.

This is the fourth car produced by the team which entered F1 as Virgin in 2010 and are still seeking their first points finish.

Marussia say their new car is the first they have designed using a wind tunnel as well as CFD. It is also their first car to feature a Kinetic Energy Recovery System.

The team have adopted a Coanda exhaust design as favoured by several teams last year.

“Whilst we have experienced some changes over the winter, the one area of stability we have enjoyed is the one that is most important to our progression from here, the design of our 2013 race car, led by our technical tirector Pat Symonds,” said team principal John Booth.

“We are confident that the MR02 is the product of evolving elements of last year’s package whilst integrating the new KERS system.

“It was said many times during 2012 that, notwithstanding the impressive steps we were taking in other areas of our development, KERS – or the lack of it – was the defining factor in determining our position relative to our immediate competitors.

“KERS was however a ‘strategic omission’ from our package until now; we opted to place the emphasis on aerodynamics, so that when we were in a position to bring the system to the car, we already had the strongest possible basis and its integration would be relatively straightforward.

“Thus far, this has certainly been the case, as our trackside engineering team have spent the winter refining their tools and preparing for the addition of KERS to ensure we can hit the ground running with effect from this week and use the short period of testing we have to get the car optimised for Melbourne.”

: Max Chilton helmet, Marussia, 2013

: Max Chilton helmet, Marussia, 2013

: Max Chilton helmet, Marussia, 2013

: Luiz Razia helmet, Marussia, 2013

: Luiz Razia helmet, Marussia, 2013

: Luiz Razia helmet, Marussia, 2013

: Marussia MR02, 2013

: Marussia MR02, 2013

: Marussia MR02, 2013

: Marussia MR02, 2013

: Max Chilton, Marussia, Jerez, 2013

: Marussia MR02, 2013

: Max Chilton, Marussia, Jerez, 2013

: Marussia MR02, 2013

: Marussia MR02, 2013

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71 comments on Marussia MR02 launch: First pictures

Boris84 (@boris84) said on 5th February 2013, 7:44

The said pods look really strange. But the car isnot banal. Looks like super hero’s car from 80′

- bosyber (@bosyber) said on 5th February 2013, 7:52
  
  @boris84 the front half actually reminds me of the new IndyCar, which is also very sleek looking like that. I guess they don’t have the underbody tunnel though!
  
  - Brad Shimmin (@bradshimmin) said on 5th February 2013, 13:39
    
    That was my thought as well. It also reminds me of a nice GP2 car. Either way, I’d drive it to the shops for a coffee…but I’d have to go to something other than “slightly salmon red.”
    
Girts (@girts) said on 5th February 2013, 7:53

This team deserves more praise than Red Bull and the other big teams. Despite having the smallest budget on the grid, they have managed to improve their car, incorporate KERS and get everything ready for the first test.

- GeeMac (@geemac) said on 5th February 2013, 8:15
  
  Well said.
  
- BasCB (@bascb) said on 5th February 2013, 8:37
  
  And they have even improved their livery too!
  
ME4ME (@me4me) said on 5th February 2013, 7:59

Looking good! But to me it looks like a car which design isn’t pushed to the extreme as much as other teams did. The sidepods and enginecover look huge, the car seem very long, and no small wings or other interesting stuff to be found. I guess they simply don’t have the resources, time and engineers to put it all into a smaller package. It does look like they’ve copied the exhaust layout of last year’s Redbull, so if they get it working should give a significant performance boost at the rear end of the car.

AdrianMorse (@adrianmorse) said on 5th February 2013, 7:59

Very nice looking car. I hope they can also get some speed out of it, because if it’s slow, that detracts from the looks of the car.

Kingshark (@kingshark) said on 5th February 2013, 7:59

I have to say, IMO Marrusia have the best looking livery and colour scheme of any car on the current grid. That’s half the reason to why I like them.

nemo87 (@nemo87) said on 5th February 2013, 8:05

Marussia. You’re doing it wrong.

That’s an F3 car. Pillocks.

- Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys) said on 5th February 2013, 8:21
  
  @nemo87 – No, this is a Formula 3 car.
  
  - Dave (@dworsley) said on 5th February 2013, 10:27
    
    You are an odd man, PM.
    
    - Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys) said on 5th February 2013, 11:19
      
      It’s all part of my charm.
      
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys) said on 5th February 2013, 8:08

I’m genuinely excited for Marussia this year. They made real, tangible progress late in 2012, and this car looks like it could be the natural extension of it. Everywhere I look, the MR02 is getting a remarkably positive reception. The team will be running KERS for the first time, and while the loss of Timo Glock will come as a blow to their fortunes, I think Max Chilton could surprise; he might be paying for his seat, but his excellent turn about in form in the GP2 Series between 2011 and 2012 suggests to me that he could deliver results that surprise.

- BasCB (@bascb) said on 5th February 2013, 9:13
  
  Its nice to compare them to Caterham. Marussia have been a miss in their first year, the second year brought them to do away with the complete CFD approach and seek the partnership with McLaren. Last years car brought at least reliability and a solid base to build on. This years car looks like a step towards racing. Lets hope it works.
  Caterham compared stole a march on their rivals in the first year (fuelled by putting in far more money), made progress the second year, even at times challenged the midfield and was close to getting into the top 10 at times, but for this year their car (and line-up) looks like they are saving money on the season ahead to invest for 2014 (I hope).
  
nidzovski (@nidzovski) said on 5th February 2013, 8:17

Nice looking car. Looks like Indy car a bit. Doesn’t it?

verstappen (@verstappen) said on 5th February 2013, 8:31

Look at the tyres. P-Zero (points-zero?) on top!

- verstappen (@verstappen) said on 5th February 2013, 8:33
  
  I mean here
  
Bruno (@brunes) said on 5th February 2013, 8:58

Indycar?
Look at this picture, lol
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oBh3nv4xZso/TOdKxdDNV3I/AAAAAAAAAEY/4WfhhDDnJEI/s1600/1MCQ2491.jpg

- Nick (@npf1) said on 5th February 2013, 9:04
  
  I was just about to say the livery might help in making the car look like an Indycar.
  
  I think that might be the largest/bulkiest air-intake and engine cover I’ve seen in a while. Love the livery, but regardless of aerodynamics, it looks a bit huge.
  
Proesterchen (@proesterchen) said on 5th February 2013, 9:13

Wow, it’s their fourth try already, and their third looked closer to a modern F1 car.

At this point, it’s no wonder they can’t get sponsorships.

Mallesh Magdum (@malleshmagdum) said on 5th February 2013, 9:27

i hope the car is atleast half as quick as it looks

BaKano (@bakano) said on 5th February 2013, 9:32

The design of the car makes it look much longer than the other team’s cars! For sure it is not, but it really looks huge!

Dave (@dworsley) said on 5th February 2013, 10:27

Agree with the Indy car comments.

Beto (@chebeto0) said on 5th February 2013, 10:50

I really really really hope this beats caterham. I just like this team for some reason, although Glock is out :(. And I also think this is the best looking car of them all right now.