Former Marussia president Graeme Lowdon has taken to Twitter to thank fans and the wider F1 community for its support following the team’s closure on Friday.
Since making its debut in 2010, Marussia spent most of its time in F1 at the very back of the grid, fighting over the small positions with Caterham and HRT until the latter folded at the end of 2012.
In 2014, Marussia finally appeared to be on the cusp of a breakthrough, scoring its first ever points at the Monaco Grand Prix by virtue of Jules Bianchi’s ninth place finish.
However, the team’s season took a turn for the worse when Bianchi was involved in a horrific accident at the Japanese Grand Prix, crashing into a recovery vehicle and suffering severe head injuries. The Frenchman remains in hospital in Japan in a critical but stable condition.
Marussia confirmed that it would race with just one car at the Russian Grand Prix as a mark of respect to Bianchi, but this turned out to be its final grand prix, entering administration two weeks later.
Although efforts to find a new buyer were made, they eventually fell short, resulting in the closure of the Marussia operation on Friday.
Taking to Twitter, Lowdon thanked everyone for their support through a difficult period for Marussia.
F1 is the greatest team sport in the world and I’m proud to have worked with a great team of RACERS. Thanks. pic.twitter.com/kj9dMvbIxG
— Graeme (@graeme_lowdon) November 7, 2014
Difficult few months. I just want to say a sincere thank you for all your messages of support. They’re very much appreciated.
— Graeme (@graeme_lowdon) November 7, 2014
Marussia may not have broken records in F1, but the team’s presence will be sorely missed by the entire F1 paddock. Its dignified end has been hard for the sport’s community to stomach, and the hope will be that the 200 staff made redundant on Friday can find new employment soon.
