From GMM
Force India has defended blocking Manor’s (Marussia) application to return to F1 this year with a 2014-spec car. Manor team president Graeme Lowdon made a written submission to Thursday's meeting of the strategy group on Paris, asking for dispensation to field the 2014 Marussia car under this year's regulations. But reports suggest Force India was the first to formerly object on Thursday, thus ending Manor's hopes of securing an unanimous vote. Robert Fernley, deputy team boss of the Silverstone based team whose 2015 car is also delayed, confirmed that Force India rejected Manor's bid due to "compliance issues" and because the application "lacked substance". He revealed that "no details were supplied of who the new owners would be" and expressed concern about a lack of "information" and "guarantees". "(So) the decision was taken that it is better to focus on ensuring the continued participation of the remaining independent teams", Fernley added. Manor to work on 2015 car Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims on Friday that Manor has a new plan. "The team will attempt to get a car ready for the new regulations for the third race in Shanghai," correspondent Tobias Gruner reported. Under the current rules, teams reportedly may miss up to three grands prix and still keep their world championship status alive. Gruner said Manor has ruled out being able to get a 2015 rules-conforming car up and running for Australia and Malaysia, so the Chinese grand prix in mid-April has now been set as the new goal. "Whether a team with limited resources and a diminished staff can win this race against time is unclear," the correspondent added. But "Bernie Ecclestone is said to have promised the team his definite support," Auto Motor und Sport claimed.
Recent Articles
|
Racing Multimedia
Recommendations |