British driver Max Chilton has admitted that he does have the budget to race for Marussia in 2013, if a seat was to open up.
The 21-year-old will drive for the team in First Practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, replacing Charles Pic. Chilton's future rides on whether the Frenchman makes the switch to another team.
Max revealed that he has gathered enough budget to race if a seat was to become available. His father Grahame is the non-executive chairman of insurance giant Aon Benfield's UK Holding Company, which is reportedly worth £100million. Despite his fathers success, Chilton was eager to move away from his families money and find sponsors away from his fathers business.
"I've managed to get two sponsors together for next year, to get the whole budget together, if the seat is available, which means as a family we don't have to put a penny in.
"My dad has always said he would get me to where I need, but that he won't put in any money. Luckily I now have the money.
"Now it's down to whatever happens in the middle part of the grid. You have to see what happens there, and then that filters down. At the moment I'm just waiting to see what happens there."
The youngsters hopes on getting a seat with Marussia ride on the man he is replacing for FP1 at the Yas Marina Circuit, Charles Pic. The Frenchman made his debut for the team and has impressed, consistently matching or sometimes beating the more experienced Timo Glock. He has been linked to possible roles at Force India or Caterham.
Max is the current Marussia test and reserve driver, but he admitted to having his eyes set on a full time race seat. He continued "I've heard Caterham and it's either there or Force India. They are the only teams really available. I know how much is needed there (at Force India), and it's a lot. He'd have to find a big budget for that.
"Potentially it's looking good. You're not ready until you feel ready, and I feel ready. I know I've got the speed. But F1 is all about politics, and you have to see what seats are available and hopefully I'll get one.
"At the moment I'm excited about the future. I feel like I'm in a good situation, and hopefully something will come about in the next couple of months. It would be nice to know before Christmas."
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
Max revealed that he has gathered enough budget to race if a seat was to become available. His father Grahame is the non-executive chairman of insurance giant Aon Benfield's UK Holding Company, which is reportedly worth £100million. Despite his fathers success, Chilton was eager to move away from his families money and find sponsors away from his fathers business.
"I've managed to get two sponsors together for next year, to get the whole budget together, if the seat is available, which means as a family we don't have to put a penny in.
"My dad has always said he would get me to where I need, but that he won't put in any money. Luckily I now have the money.
"Now it's down to whatever happens in the middle part of the grid. You have to see what happens there, and then that filters down. At the moment I'm just waiting to see what happens there."
The youngsters hopes on getting a seat with Marussia ride on the man he is replacing for FP1 at the Yas Marina Circuit, Charles Pic. The Frenchman made his debut for the team and has impressed, consistently matching or sometimes beating the more experienced Timo Glock. He has been linked to possible roles at Force India or Caterham.
Max is the current Marussia test and reserve driver, but he admitted to having his eyes set on a full time race seat. He continued "I've heard Caterham and it's either there or Force India. They are the only teams really available. I know how much is needed there (at Force India), and it's a lot. He'd have to find a big budget for that.
"Potentially it's looking good. You're not ready until you feel ready, and I feel ready. I know I've got the speed. But F1 is all about politics, and you have to see what seats are available and hopefully I'll get one.
"At the moment I'm excited about the future. I feel like I'm in a good situation, and hopefully something will come about in the next couple of months. It would be nice to know before Christmas."
1 comment:
It will be interesting to see what happens with Pic. He is given far less attention than he deserves. He has out-driven Glock frequently this year, yet has hardly been mentioned at all.
I would like to see Pic move up, and Chilton take his seat. I wouldn't mind if Glock got out of Marussia and into somewhere better too.
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