Formula 1

Jules Bianchi: “It has been Nice to Celebrate with the Team”

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Marussia will arrive in Montreal on a very big high after finally achieving their first ever points in Formula 1 last time out in Monaco. Jules Bianchi’s ninth place finish saw the team rise to ninth in the constructors’ championship ahead of both Sauber and Caterham. Max Chilton had a disappointing weekend but continued his 100% finishing record with fourteenth place.

Ferrari protégé Bianchi felt the result in Monaco was well deserved for the team, but admits points again in Montreal are extremely unlikely. The Frenchman believes the team are moving in the right direction, and wants them to continue their upward swing to fight more often with the midfield runners.

“It has been such a fantastic week or so since Monaco and it has been nice to celebrate with the Team after all the hard work it has taken to get this far,” said Bianchi. “I don’t know if we can get two points again in Canada, but we need to consistently demonstrate that we can keep pace with the Saubers and have a good race, and this I think we can do.

“I think the points success will live with us for a very long time, but equally we have to switch focus to the next races to ensure we keep moving forward, as it is still a long season ahead and the Montreal circuit is by no means a straightforward challenge.

“I’m very excited for this weekend. The car seems so good at the moment that it feels we can go to every race feeling optimistic for a positive outcome.”

Team-mate Chilton felt the car in Monaco was a vast improvement to what he had before, and showed that by comfortably out-qualifying both Caterhams. He, like his team-mate, cannot wait to get back on track in Montreal.

“I’m really excited about the Canadian Grand Prix,” said Chilton. “After such a positive test in Barcelona, and a very positive qualifying in Monaco off the back of that, I am hoping that we can piece together all of the positives into a more competitive result in Montreal. I am really encouraged by the work we have done and the obvious progress that we are making with the car.

“I think the whole Team loves coming to Montreal. It’s such a great venue for the race and the fans are so enthusiastic. After a successful team result last time out, it’s shaping up to being busier than usual. I can’t wait to get back down to the racing.”

Team Principal John Booth feels the milestone of securing the teams first ever points in Monaco was a reward of the hard work his employees are putting in to developing the car. Although progress has been made, he is still uncertain just how the upgrades made to the car will work in Canada with the Montreal track a lot different to Monaco.

“As you might imagine, we head to Canada with a definite spring in our step after achieving our first points finish in Monaco,” said Booth. “It was an important milestone for everyone in the Team and provides an important affirmation, internally and externally, of the positive trajectory we are taking in pursuit of our longer term ambitions.

“Canada is one of our favourite racing destinations, although not necessarily a track that has suited us in the past. It will be interesting to see how well the set-up developments that worked so well for us in Spain and Monaco will translate to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

“While we are not expecting to replicate our success in Monaco, we are hopeful that we can further underline our recent performance increment with another strong race for both drivers.”

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Long time motorsport fanatic, covering Formula 1 and the occassional other series. Feel free to give him a follow on Twitter at @Paul11MSport.
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