Russia’s Marussia team won’t be able to take part in the final round of tests prior to the start of the Formula 1 season after failing an official crash-test.

­“We are disappointed to confirm that the planned first test of its 2012 race car – the MR01 – has been delayed as a consequence of not passing the final FIA crash test,” the statement on the team’s official website said. “All cars are required to pass 18 FIA-observed tests for homologation to be granted. Even though the MR01 passed all 17 of the preceding tests, the regulations require the car to have completed all of the tests before running commences.”

Marussia drivers – Timo Glock and Charles Pic – won’t be seen in Barcelona on March 1 – 4 as the team will focus all its efforts on repeating the crash test by the end of the week.

Another of F1’s minnows HRT also didn’t pass the crash-test at the first attempt, but managed to make the necessary changes and are now eligible to appear in Catalonia.      

The new Formula 1 season gets going with the Australian Grand Prix on March 18.