Official: Max Chilton succeeds Charles Pic at Marussia in 2013

After Nikolay Fomenko, co-owner of the Marussia team, told Russian media that Max Chilton would [replace] Charles Pic next year, the Anglo-Russian team officially announced the Briton’s appointment for 2013, thus giving Timo Glock a fourth different teammate in as many seasons.

Promoted to reserve driver at Marussia last September following Maria de Villota’s accident, the Reigate native will thus take the plunge next season after wearing out his seat in the GP2 Series: « We are delighted to welcome Max as a race driver at Marussia for the 2013 season. We spent a lot of time evaluating his performances in 2012, both in our own car during test sessions, but also from the pit wall as we closely followed his progress amongst other members of our talent pool during the Grand Prix support races, » said John Booth, the Marussia team principal, in the team’s official statement.

For his part, Max Chilton cannot find the words to express how he feels: « This comes at the end of what has been a fantastic year for me. My pole positions and victories in GP2, my performances during the Young Driver Tests and the Free Practice 1 in Abu Dhabi, have given everyone confidence in my ability to compete at the highest level of motorsport. I am very fortunate to have spent the last six races with Marussia as a reserve driver, which means that instead of jumping on board, I am already on board, comfortable with the people, the culture, the systems, and, obviously, with the 2012 package. Since the Japanese Grand Prix, I have closely followed the incredible commitment and determination to succeed that has made everyone in the team push until the very last race. I feel very lucky to be able to start my Formula 1 career with this group of people. »

Fourth in the 2012 GP2 championship and with two pole positions for as many victories—in Hungary and then in Singapore—Max Chilton has convinced Marussia’s management to place their trust in him to succeed Charles Pic: « We felt confident enough in his abilities and potential to appoint him as a reserve driver in September, and since then, his development has been rapid in all areas. First and foremost, he has proven to be extremely skillful with the car. More recently, in Abu Dhabi, he was tested in a competitive environment, which gave him the opportunity to demonstrate his absolute pace and consistency over a single lap. We simply saw how much he has progressed since the Silverstone tests during the summer and subsequently with the GP2 races, where he achieved two pole positions and two victories. Moreover, Max has integrated very quickly into the team, partly because he is a dynamic and affable individual that we have enjoyed having among us. By integrating into our technical environment during race weekends over the past three months—while playing a significant role in the simulator—Max has already found his footing. »

However, while waiting to take part in the winter tests, the 21-year-old does not intend to rest on his laurels: « The pre-season tests are only a few weeks away, so my goal now is to continue my physical preparation while spending as much time as possible working with the technical team to help develop the car I will drive for my debut season in Formula 1. »

A few months ago, there was mention of a potential interest in the capital of the Marussia team by Max Chilton’s father, Grahame Chilton, vice-chairman of the Aon insurance group, whose fortune was estimated at nearly 115 million euros in 2011. While the involvement of Max Chilton’s father in the team has yet to be confirmed, it remains that, according to various sources, the promotion of Grahame Chilton’s son is accompanied by a “dowry” estimated at 11.5 million euros.