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Marussia's debut of its new Formula 1 car has been delayed because of a last-minute technical glitch, AUTOSPORT has learned.

The Banbury-based outfit had hoped to join the other teams in getting its Ferrari-powered MR03 on track for the start of pre-season testing at Jerez in Spain on Tuesday.

However, it is understood that during the final stages of signing off the car at the factory, an unspecified technical glitch came to light which has delayed its plans.

The team felt that the problem was better addressed back at its base rather than sending its car to Spain and working on it there.

Team principal John Booth told AUTOSPORT: "While our car build ran pretty much according to schedule, we have encountered a small and frustrating teething problem, which we have been working to resolve back at the Marussia Technical Centre in Banbury.

"It makes sense to address this while we still have all of the equipment and technical personnel in one place.

"Our aim is to solve this issue as soon as possible and send the MR03 on its way to Jerez, where the team have set up and are awaiting its arrival."

It is unclear how long it will take the team to rectify the problem, but there is still enough time for it to transport the car to Spain and get it running later in the week.

Marussia has switched to Ferrari engines for this season, and retained its 2013 line-up of Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi.