Marussia to miss final pre-season test

The Marussia team [formally known as Virgin Racing] will be heading to the Australian Grand Prix without participating in a single winter test session.

The team had hoped to run their new 2012 car during last weeks testing session in Barcelona, but the team failed to pass the crash tests that allow them to run.

The Marussia team were confident that the team would complete the tests at the second attempt and join the the winter session at the second Barcelona test which commences later this week. However the team didn't complete the full crash tests set out by the FIA and have had to withdraw from participating in the Barcelona tests.

'We are disappointed to confirm that the planned first test of its 2012 race car - the MR01 - has been delayed as a consequence of not passing the final FIA crash test.' a statement read on the BBC.

'All cars are required to pass 18 FIA -observed tests for homologation to be granted.

'Despite the fact that the MR01 has passed all 17 of the preceding tests, the regulations require the car to have completed all of the tests before running commences.'

The HRT team have completed their mandatory crash tests, but as yet have not confirmed if they will be running. If they fail to join the test, they too will be heading to Australia without any winter testing.

It's a big blow for the two slowest teams in the Formula One paddock, the newbie teams have defied the odds in previous seasons just by getting to the grid, but this season has proved to be a struggle.