Marussia Virgin to Launch Car on February 7

Marussia Virgin Racing confirmed earlier today what we have all be expecting for some time now, which is that their 2011-spec single-seater will be released after the first group test in Valencia. To be more precise, the UK-based team will unveil the new MVR-02 challenger on February 7th, in the London capital.

The car was initially planned to be named VR-02, a progression of last year's VR-01, but its designation was changed thanks to new Russian partner Marussia (the 'M' in front).

“Further details will be provided very soon,” Virgin Racing told the media.

What this means is that Marussia Virgin Racing will tackle the 3-day test on Valencia's Ricardo Tormo Circuit, due to kick off on February 1st, with the 2010-spec car. However, they won't be the only team in that situation, as McLaren, Force India and Hispania Racing F1 Team will also show up in Valencia with their last year's cars.

Shortly after the launch event in London, the MVR-02 will be taken to Jerez, where the second of the 4 group tests this winter will be held. Missing out on the Valencia session in early February will mean that the 2011-spec car will only get 12 days of testing, split in 4-day sessions at Jerez, Barcelona and Bahrain.

The list of teams that will make it to Valencia with their new cars, or at least interim versions of their 2011-spec challengers, are Ferrari, Mercedes GP, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, Williams F1, Team Lotus, Lotus Renault and Sauber F1.