Marussia are facing a race against time to be in Australia for the season-opening Formula One grand prix next month.

The England-based team has confirmed its new car, the MR01, has failed the last of 18 FIA crash tests, and so has pulled out of this week’s final pre-season test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.

Marussia were involved in the second test last week at the same circuit, albeit in last year’s car as they evaluated the latest sets of Pirelli tyres for this campaign.

The team, who were known as Virgin Racing last season, had hoped to be lining up in Barcelona again from Thursday to run the new car through its paces prior to heading out to Melbourne’s Albert Park.

However, one of the FIA’s new regulations imposed ahead of this season is that no team can take part in pre-season testing unless its car has passed all of the crash tests.

It means Marussia will instead focus on attempting to complete the sole test it has failed to ensure they can at least play a part in the race in Australia.

A team statement read: “Marussia is 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 team will now not take part in the final pre-season test in Barcelona later this week, and will instead focus its efforts on repeating the crash test at the end of the week.”

For a team approaching its third season in Formula One, the news is a considerable embarrassment for all concerned, with pressure now mounting to ensure they are on the grid in Australia.