Razia 'confirms' Marussia drive

01/02/2013

Following internet speculation on Thursday, and despite no confirmation from the team, Brazil's Luiz Razia claims to have won the second seat at Marussia alongside Max Chilton.

On his own website Razia claims to have the second seat. The heading 'Luiz is the second Brazilian in F1 in 2013' links to an article on Globo Esporte.com in which the youngster says: "The process was long and distressing," referring to his search for a drive this season. "Until recently there was nothing, then we managed to close a deal at the last minute.

"The important thing is that I have now got something I have worked for eleven years in my career so far. It really is the fulfilment of a dream for me."

The claim comes hours after the Russian team announced that its 2013 contender will be unveiled in Jerez on Tuesday, just before the first day of pre-season testing gets underway.

If Razia's claim is true, it means that Marussia, which parted company with Timo Glock due to financial problems, will enter the season with two rookies.

A test driver for Virgin Racing in 2010 and Team Lotus in 2011, Razia, who was runner-up to Davide Valsecchi in the 2012 GP2 Series, drove the Lotus in the Friday morning sessions in China and Brazil in 2011.