F1 China 2013: Russian support increases for Marussia

The Marussia F1 team announced another Russian partner in the shape of media company RBC during the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.

RBC, which becomes the team's 'official Russian media partner', saw its logos appear on the car and driver overalls for the first time in Shanghai, and will be added to other elements of the team's trackside environment from next month's Spanish Grand Prix.

RBC is one of Russia's largest media holding companies, with a 20-year track record and a total audience of 90 million people. It operates across three main market segments - television, print and internet - and is a market leader for business information in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

"We are proud that the Marussia F1 team - the first team in F1 representing Russia - has chosen RBC to be its official Russian media partner," director Sergy Lavrukhin, commented, "Both RBC and the Team operate in fiercely competitive environments and we know that, to succeed, we must both keep moving forward. RBC, the leading provider of business information in Russia, has made significant advances in all of its market segments and is pleased to see that the Marussia F1 Team is progressing steadily in the world's ultimate motor racing series. We wish ongoing success to our team."

RBC's partnership with Marussia will offer business-to-business opportunities for new and existing team partners, while RBC's customers - as well as the team's rapidly expanding fan-base - can look forward to special reports and content via RBC's various media channels.

"I am delighted with the growth of our Anglo-Russian relationships, which follows hot on the heels of our other recent Russian partner announcements," CEO Andy Webb said, "This is a crucial part of our growing desire to bring more of F1 to Russia and Russia into F1. RBC's media influence and powerful coverage in the business and luxury markets in Russia will be key in helping to promote the Marussia F1 team and its partners in this important market."