Timo Glock focused on improving Marussia's situation

Marussia was unable to join any of the official pre-season tests because its MR01 failed its final crash test shortly before the last opportunity at Barcelona - so its only running was on two 'filming' days at Silverstone last week.

Despite the difficult situation, Glock says he has knuckled down to keep doing all he can to at least ensure Marussia has the opportunity to move forward in 2012.

"It has been a frustrating winter for sure, but you have two choices and the only thing to do was to focus on everything we could be doing off-track to make sure we were as prepared as possible for when we did run the car," he said in a team preview on Monday.

"I've done a lot of work in the simulator and with the team in Banbury and in terms of my personal fitness I have been training harder than ever before. Melbourne will be a bit of a voyage into the unknown but we have nothing to lose and I'm even more excited than usual to see how the car feels in Friday's first free practice.

"Albert Park is a great track and I love going there for the first race of the season. I would rather be going there with more preparation but we will do the best we can and see where we are."

Team principal John Booth believes the difficult circumstances of the winter have proved to be a test of character for its team, which is heading into its third year in F1.

"It has been a tough time for everyone but it is situations like this that really test the mettle of a team," he said. "The early years were always going to be tough for us but I have never had any doubts about the ability of our people to ride whatever storm comes our way. It is that faith rewarded that sees us heading out to Melbourne in a rather more orderly fashion than you might expect."