Jules Bianchi says he feels ready to drive for a top team, after scoring the first points of his F1 career in Monaco.
The Frenchman registered Marussia’s debut top 10 finish around the streets of Monte Carlo after starting from last on the grid.
He climbed up the order, helped by several crashes and retirements, to take the chequered flag in an impressive eighth place. However, a five-second time penalty demoted him by one position.
The break-through result helped the Banbury-based outfit to move up to ninth in the constructors’ standings, moving ahead of Sauber.
"It felt like a victory to me," he told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport after the race. "Even if it does not mean so much for others, for us this ninth place is like a win."
The 24-year-old admitted that the result could help propel him to a seat at a top team, which he feels ready for.
"It can only help, but as for the future, we will have to see as the season progresses. I do feel ready for a top team," Bianchi said.
His performance was praised by two-time world champion and current Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, who believes Bianchi has a strong F1 career ahead of him.
"It’s fantastic and I am happy for him," the Spaniard told reporters in Monaco. "Jules is not only a Ferrari Academy guy, he is also a friend.
"We spend a lot of time together in Maranello, we play football, we cycle, [and] we travel together for some races.
"I am extremely happy for him, [and] very proud for what this result will mean for his career. “I have no doubts it will be a good career, but hopefully with this result he can have a more competitive car next year and show his talents even more."
John Booth, team principal at Marussia, agrees. "I think he's ready to go now. If they (Ferrari) need him, I think he's ready to go," he told Reuters. "I think he's got a long career in F1. Absolute top driver."
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He climbed up the order, helped by several crashes and retirements, to take the chequered flag in an impressive eighth place. However, a five-second time penalty demoted him by one position.
The break-through result helped the Banbury-based outfit to move up to ninth in the constructors’ standings, moving ahead of Sauber.
"It felt like a victory to me," he told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport after the race. "Even if it does not mean so much for others, for us this ninth place is like a win."
The 24-year-old admitted that the result could help propel him to a seat at a top team, which he feels ready for.
"It can only help, but as for the future, we will have to see as the season progresses. I do feel ready for a top team," Bianchi said.
His performance was praised by two-time world champion and current Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, who believes Bianchi has a strong F1 career ahead of him.
"It’s fantastic and I am happy for him," the Spaniard told reporters in Monaco. "Jules is not only a Ferrari Academy guy, he is also a friend.
"We spend a lot of time together in Maranello, we play football, we cycle, [and] we travel together for some races.
"I am extremely happy for him, [and] very proud for what this result will mean for his career. “I have no doubts it will be a good career, but hopefully with this result he can have a more competitive car next year and show his talents even more."
John Booth, team principal at Marussia, agrees. "I think he's ready to go now. If they (Ferrari) need him, I think he's ready to go," he told Reuters. "I think he's got a long career in F1. Absolute top driver."
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