A stream of announcements flowed out of formula one teams’ press offices early on Tuesday.
Marussia announced not only that it will switch from Cosworth to Ferrari power for 2014 and beyond, but that its technical boss Pat Symonds is leaving the team. Marussia’s new Ferrari deal includes a gearbox and “all related ancillary systems”. “The importance of this development to our team cannot be overstated,” said Marussia chief executive Andy Webb. Webb also confirmed that Cosworth has decided to “leave the sport”. The next announcement on Tuesday was that Briton Symonds is leaving Marussia “with immediate effect”.
Half an hour later, Williams announced that the former Renault chief, whose career at Enstone ended with the ‘crashgate’ scandal, will start work as the Grove team’s chief technical officer on 19 August. “I’m sure that his knowledge and leadership will contribute considerably to the success that all of us at Williams are working hard to achieve,” said team boss Sir Frank Williams. Marussia reacted to Symonds’ departure by saying it will announce its “own plans for the continued development of its growing technical operation in due course”.
After announcing the Symonds move, Williams then revealed that its technical director Mike Coughlan “has stepped down” as technical director. “The team thanks him for the significant contribution he has made since 2011 and wishes him well in his future endeavours,” said Williams, referring to the former McLaren designer Coughlan.
Finally, Red Bull announced on Tuesday that Toro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciardo – a contender to replace the departing Mark Webber next year – will drive the title-leading RB9 on Wednesday afternoon as the Silverstone test gets underway. Australian Ricciardo’s teammate Jean-Eric Vergne is not part of Red Bull’s plans for the so-called young driver test.
Info: GMM
