Marussia Virgin part company with technical director Nick Wirth

Formula 1 team Marussia Virgin have parted company with technical director Nick Wirth and his company Wirth Research following their disappointing start of the season. The team had targeted reaching 2nd qualification on a regular basis this year, but has failed to start any higher than the tenth row during the first six races of the season.

Former Renault director of engineering Pat Symonds is understood to be heading up plans for its 2012 car in his capacity as a consultant, according to Autosport.

«The decision has been taken that the team will take greater control of its own destiny,» said Marussia Virgin CEO Andy Webb to Autosport. «Accordingly, having consulted with our existing technical partner during the course of the past few weeks, we have been obliged to terminate our relationship with them.»

«I believe that the steps we are taking in terms of our technical leadership and operational excellence will provide us with the robust foundation required to go on and achieve our performance objectives in the years ahead. These are bold but positive steps that will enable us to move forward with confidence.»

Despite the change in technical direction, the team already has several upgrades and developments that have been signed off by Wirth Research that it plans to introduce in the coming months. It is hoped that these will allow it to close the gap to Team Lotus.

However, there is also desire to trial run new development directions with the current Virgin MVR-02 in the latter stages of the season. This could lead to major revisions later in the campaign.