Marussia confirm Razia for 2013 season

Luiz Razia
Luiz Razia was Virgin (now Marussia) test driver in 2010

Marussia on Wednesday finally confirmed reports Luiz Razia has completed the team’s 2013 race driver lineup.

The 23-year-old Brazilian, runner-up in last year’s GP2 championship, will mark the news by testing Marussia’s newly-launched MR02 car at Jerez on Wednesday.

The 2013 vacancy, now filled by Razia, opened up recently when Marussia split with Timo Glock, citing the need for a sponsored driver.

Razia is the fourth rookie who will line up on the F1 grid this season, along with teammate Max Chilton, Caterham’s Giedo van der Garde and Sauber’s Esteban Gutierrez.

“Together with Max, we are fielding a young but incredibly ambitious pairing and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve,” said team boss John Booth.

When it was called Virgin, Razia was the team’s reserve driver in 2010.

Now only one seat remains to be filled, the Force India berth with several drivers in contention but Adrian Sutil and Jules Bianchi favourites to clinch a deal with the team. (GMM & Apex)