Marussia reinstated British driver Max Chilton for the Belgian Grand Prix on Friday, a day after the team dropped him, in a U-turn that dashed American Alexander Rossi’s hopes of a race debut.
The Russian-licensed team said in a terse statement that Chilton, 23, was again their nominated driver “following a change in circumstances”.
No details were given for the twist in a saga that has raised many questions and provided little in the way of explanation.
Click here for The National’s F1 2014 season guide – Standings, race calendar and driver profiles
Marussia, who have the smallest budget of any team, had announced on Thursday that reserve driver Rossi would be replacing Chilton due to unspecified ‘contractual issues’ – interpreted by many as shorthand for payments not being received.
Chilton, in an unusual statement issued on his behalf, had suggested however that he was stepping aside voluntarily to help the team attract ‘much-needed funds by selling his seat’.
Why that move should no longer be necessary, and why there was such a disconnect between the two versions, remained a mystery in a sport full of half-truths and euphemism with inconvenient details carefully glossed over.
“I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the details of the contractual issues because that is confidential between parties involved,” said sporting director Graeme Lowdon.
“There is nothing we can really say on that. This is a result of a change in circumstances.”
Rossi, who would have been the first US driver to start a grand prix since Scott Speed’s last appearance for Toro Rosso in 2007, took part in the day’s first practice session but Chilton was back for the afternoon.
The American joined Marussia only last month, after a change of ownership at his previous team Caterham.
“Alex acquitted himself incredibly well,” said Lowdon.
“He was probably quite surprised to be called up to stand in for a grand prix quite so quick – but he did an extremely good job with that and that is his role as a professional race driver – so I cannot speak too highly of him really.”
Lowdon said the team was working on the assumption that the lineup would not be changed again this season, although there were no guarantees.
“That is certainly what we are working towards. We have seen that there are things that can cause hiccups and changes in that – and that is just how things are,” he added.
Follow us on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Did you know?
Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.
Brief scores:
Southampton 2
Armstrong 13', Soares 20'
Manchester United 2
Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The specs
A4 35 TFSI
Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed S-tronic automatic
Power: 150bhp
Torque: 270Nm
Price: Dh150,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
A4 S4 TDI
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic
Power: 350bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh165,000 (estimate)
On sale: First Q 2020
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
