Booth delighted with twelfth

23/09/2012

Mat Coch writes:

It's not often a team celebrates a twelfth place finish, but that's precisely what Marussia did when Timo Glock crossed the line in Singapore today.

Twelfth place was a critical result, one which prompted team principal John Booth to tell Pitpass that he'll "be giving it some large one's tonight".

Twelfth marks not only Marussia's best ever race result but, more importantly, moves it in to tenth in the Constructors' Championship ahead of Caterham. Since neither team has scored points championship position is determined on the teams' best finishing positions.

Before the Singapore Grand Prix that favoured Caterham, courtesy of thirteenth place finishes in the Monaco and European Grands Prix. Timo Glock's twelfth place today moves Marussia ahead.

It's an important spot in the championship as it is the last which receives prize money from Bernie Ecclestone. For a small team such as Marussia it's a significant carrot, making twelfth place feel like a victory for the Banbury-based squad.

"There are still six races to go, so it's going to be hard to defend it," admitted Booth. "The important thing is that we put ourselves in a position to take advantage of some good luck.

"That's what we managed to achieve today and I'm absolutely thrilled."

Thrilled was an understatement, the delighted team boss candidly admitting that he "was so excited I almost went on to the podium!"

Check out our Grand Prix gallery, here.