F1 team Marussia has "agreed a long-term technical partnership with Ferrari" to use its engines and full powertrain from '14, according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS.
The move "had been widely expected, with Marussia's existing supplier Cosworth set to leave the sport and the team appointing Frenchman Jules Bianchi" -- a Ferrari reserve -- to its race lineup at the start of this year.
Marussia said in a statement that the deal provided further confirmation of the team's commitment to F1 and "determination to maintain our progression towards our long-term ambitions" (REUTERS, 7/16). In London, Paul Weaver reported it "will make for an intriguing partnership between the smallest and biggest teams in F1." Marussia CEO Andy Webb said,
"The importance of this development to our team cannot be overstated. Not only will we benefit from a customer supply from the most successful engine manufacturer in F1's history but this also provides further confirmation, if it were needed, of our commitment to the sport and determination to maintain our progression towards our long-term ambitions." Marussia will continue its deal with McLaren, which provides aerodynamic facilities, including a wind tunnel (GUARDIAN, 7/16). SKY SPORTS' Mike Wise reported Marussia was "briefly involved in merger talks with rivals Caterham prior to the start of the current season and," in the absence of a new Concorde Agreement, it remains "the only team without a commercial agreement" with F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone (SKY SPORTS, 7/16).
