Marussia F1 Team Drivers Win Hearts at QNET Event in Malaysia

Marussia F1 Team Drivers, Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi took a break from their busy F1 schedule to visit Taarana, a school for children with special educational needs, as part of their support for sponsor, QNET.

The Team’s exciting new driver line-up, 21-year-old Briton, Chilton and 23-year-old Frenchman, Bianchi spent almost an hour taking part in a mock car race using remote control cars with the children who, aged between six and 12, face challenges with delayed development in academic, social and adaptive skills, also known as Mild Intellectual Disability (MID).

Their visit was organized by global direct selling company QNET, who is also the Official Direct Selling Partner of the Marussia F1 Team. The school was established in 2011 by QNET’s CSR arm in Malaysia, Vijayaratnam Foundation.

At a press conference at the event, Max Chilton said: “The children we have met today are inspiring. We have seen the good work the Vijayaratnam Foundation is doing in helping them and changing their lives for the better.”

His team mate, Jules Bianchi, agreed: “We are amazed at the dedication of the teachers at Taarana and we congratulate the Foundation for having established the school which we understand is one of the first of its kind in Malaysia.”

In welcoming the drivers and the Team, QNET Managing Director, Mr JR Mayer said the company has always been involved in sports and recognises the beneficial effect it can have on worthy causes. It marked its entry into the Formula 1 in November 2010 and has been the Official Direct Selling Partner of the Marussia F1 Team since then.

“Sport is the most liberating of all endeavors. It allows one to rise to one’s greatest heights. Through sport, we celebrate both the championship of success that QNET stands for and the victory of the human spirit over its trials and tribulations which Taarana stands for.

“Naturally we are grateful to the Marussia F1 Team for being here today, but more so because they epitomise championship. We are happy that they lend their luster of championship to QNET and their passion and spirit to the children of Taarana,” said Mayer.

Both Chilton and Bianchi will be making their maiden appearance at the 15th Malaysia Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend. For the record, Bianchi finished 15th at the season opener Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne last weekend while Chilton took 17th spot.