Max Chilton believes all those inside Marussia now have to dig deep if the Banbury-based team are to move forward from the worst week in their history.

Although sporting director Graeme Lowdon conceded the Russian Grand Prix helped focus minds for a few days, the hard mental work starts again as thoughts return to teammate Jules Bianchi.

Lowdon confirmed after the race at the Sochi Autodrom that the 25-year-old Frenchman remains critical in Yokkaichi’s Mie General Medical Centre as he fights for his life after sustaining brain injuries in a crash in the Japanese Grand Prix nine days ago.

With the team running one car throughout the weekend in Russia as a mark of respect to Bianchi and his family, the pressure on 22-year-old Chilton was considerable.

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Unfortunately for the Briton, his race was shortlived as he was forced to retire after just nine of the 53 laps with a problem with the right-rear wheel.

Reflecting on what he has described as “an incredibly tough week for everyone in the team”, Chilton added: “We all deserved so much more from the race.

“It wasn’t an easy day, far from it, and all the guys had to dig deep to get us to the grid.

“When we got there it was very emotional with all the support for Jules. I think the team, the sport and all the fans really did him proud.”

Chilton knows more difficult days lie ahead before the team can even contemplate what options to take ahead of the United States GP on November 2.

Chilton added: “What the team needs now is to head home for support from their families and colleagues back at the factory.

“Somehow we need to find the strength to regroup and move forward, which is hard to contemplate right now.”

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