Jules Bianchi was the first surprised by his appointment at Marussia

After the official announcement of Jules Bianchi’s appointment as a full-time driver for the 2013 Formula 1 season in place of Luiz Razia, the French driver admitted to being the first surprised by the situation.

Jules Bianchi therefore completes the F1 2013 lineup in a definitive manner, and at 9:30 PM, an unusual time for a press conference, he appeared very happy and relieved: “I really need to thank Ferrari, the FFSA [Editor’s note: French Federation of Automobile Sports] which has given me its support and continues to do so, my manager, and my sponsors,” he states in the paddock, behind the Marussia trucks.

Today, it wasn’t easy because I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do, it was a bit unclear, and then earlier, at 6 PM, I was told that it’s confirmed. That’s why I came to mold the seat, to prepare for the tests and try to be as prepared as possible before Melbourne, Bianchi details to our colleagues at Canal+, camera on the shoulder.

Bianchi’s schedule looks busy until Melbourne: « The next two days, I will drive the car and get in touch with the team, then next week, I will go to England [editor’s note: where the Marussia factory is located] to best prepare for the first race. »

The announcement of the official appointment took place at 6 p.m. Still dressed in Ferrari gear, the driver headed to the Marussia motorhome to put on a team suit (without his name on it) and mold his seat. Everything happened so quickly that the Frenchman had very little time to process it, but he doesn’t hide his emotion: “I am very happy to be with Marussia, they are giving me the opportunity to be here, and I have to thank them for that. Now, it’s certain that we will have a lot of work, but it’s still Formula 1, and I am very happy to be here. It’s a bit quick to think about my goals. I will try to learn, and then we’ll see what we can do.”

It’s good to be confirmed, it takes a weight off my shoulders and when you know it’s not tests and you won’t be compared to another driver, it relieves some pressure.

When asked if he knew an opportunity existed at Marussia, Bianchi was clear: « No, not at all, I found out when I got here. Initially, I came to watch the tests for Ferrari and I really didn’t know that I was going to participate in the tests, let alone the season, » he confides to Motors Inside.

Jules Bianchi will drive tomorrow in Barcelona for the third and penultimate day of winter testing, but also on Sunday.

From our special correspondent in Barcelona.