Marussia F1 team 'shocked' by Jules Bianchi crash allegations

While the Frenchman remains in a critical condition in hospital, his team said it was "shocked" that some publications had thrown blame towards it and Bianchi over what happened.

Several media outlets reported that Bianchi had not slowed down under double waved yellow flags before his crash, and that the Marussia team had urged him to push hard in a bid to keep ahead of Caterham's Marcus Ericsson.

Both claims have been strongly denied by Marussia - which says that at a time when its efforts were focused on helping Bianchi it should not be forced to respond to inaccuracies.

"The Marussia F1 Team is shocked and angered by these allegations," said the statement.

"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."

RADIO TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED

Marussia said that a media briefing given by F1 race director Charlie Whiting at the Russian Grand Prix confirmed that Bianchi had slowed down.

Whiting said: "A lot of cars came through the double waved yellow sector, not everyone slowed down as much.

"There were some that didn't slow down much and some slowed down a lot - and I don't think we need to go into the detail of how much he slowed down relative to the others.

"Suffice to say, we do have that data. He did slow down and it is a matter of degree."

On the issue of the team telling Bianchi to push, the statement said: "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' accident did the team urge Jules to drive faster or make any comments suggesting that he should do so."