MX23RW : Tuesday, November 26 14:22:36| >> :600:122138880:122138880:

Marussia dismiss negligence claims over Jules Bianchi crash

Marussia describe reports claiming that they and Jules Bianchi ignored regulations in the build-up to his serious crash at the Japanese Grand Prix as "entirely false".

Marussia are "shocked and angered" by claims that the team and Jules Bianchi ignored regulations in the build-up to his crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Frenchman remains in a "critical but stable" condition in hospital after suffering a serious head injury when colliding with a recovery vehicle that was attending to Adrian Sutil on the side of the Suzuka track.

Reports on Tuesday claimed that Bianchi failed to slow down under double-waved yellow flags and was even ordered to maintain his race speed to hold off Caterham's Marcus Ericsson behind him.

Marussia have strongly denied these "entirely false" claims, insisting that the FIA has cleared them of any negligence, while adding that the accusations were disrespectful to the family of the critically injured driver.

The statement read: "The Marussia F1 Team is shocked and angered by these allegations. At a time when its driver is critically ill in hospital, and the team has made clear that its highest priority is consideration for Jules and his family, it is distressed to have to respond to deeply upsetting rumours and inaccuracies in respect of the circumstances of Jules' accident.

"However, given that these allegations are entirely false, the team has no alternative but to address these. Jules did slow down under the double waved yellow flags. That is an irrefutable fact, as proven by the telemetry data, which the team has provided to the FIA.

"In the FIA press conference which took place in Sochi on Friday 10 October, Charlie Whiting, the FIA's Race Director, confirmed that the team had provided such data, that he himself had examined this data and that Jules did slow. Regarding point 2, an audio copy of the full radio transmission between Jules and the team, and also a written transcript thereof, were provided to the FIA.

"It is quite clear from the transmission and the transcript that at no point during the period leading up to Jules's accident did the team urge Jules to drive faster or make any comments suggesting that he should do so. The team sincerely hopes that, having clarified these facts, it can now avoid any further distractions to its primary focus at this time, which is providing support for Jules and his family."

Bianchi is currently being treated by medical staff in the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, Japan.

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Jules Bianchi of France and Marussia walks across the paddock prior to the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 20, 2014
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