Manor Motorsport MM01 *** 2015 Launch Thread

Guerrilla · 20 Feb 2015 at 11:32

I think it's a maximum of 4 drivers or something like that?

Last season I'm sure it was mentioned with regards to Caterham after Lotterer said he didn't want to do another race and Ericsson had left.

I could be wrong though.

Guerrilla · 20 Feb 2015 at 14:41

Ferrari has verbally agreed a deal to supply Manor Grand Prix with a 2014 engine so it can return to the grid this season.

Suppose that's another positive for Manor's prospects, bit of a double edged sword it being the old engine, you'd imagine it'd be lacking the power of the newer engine but if it's going to be in a modified 2014 car they won't have to make any changes to get it in there and it's a known quantity to work from.

this_is_gav · 20 Feb 2015 at 16:29

They were always going to be last anyway given the complete lack of development and unknown quantity and quality of staff and even facilities (they're operating out of the Manor factory I believe?). As has been said, it's a case of getting through this season by whatever means possible.

Sadly I think they'll struggle to make the 107% times needed to race, and if they aren't able to race they'll struggle to attract backers of any description, so making it to a second season is all the more unlikely. Got to hand it to them though - they're plucky buggers and I hope they can pull off the odd shock.

Skeeter · 20 Feb 2015 at 17:17

You'd assume that any backers they would try to attract would be for 2016 anyway. I wouldn't put it past them to just deliberately fail to qualify for every race anyway

this_is_gav · 20 Feb 2015 at 18:52

Skeeter said:
I wouldn't put it past them to just deliberately fail to qualify for every race anyway

If they clearly did it deliberately on more than once or two occasions they would almost certainly be kicked out or heavily fined for bringing the sport into disrepute.

I've only known Arrows to deliberately fail to qualify (French GP 2002), and they would have been removed from the paddock if that had continued.

The_Abyss · 20 Feb 2015 at 20:58

Deliberately failing to qualify and then race is pointless. They'll have spent all the money on the logistics of getting there, the rest is just fuel and oil

Guerrilla · 25 Feb 2015 at 14:47

F1 Manor: Former Marussia team name Will Stevens as driver

leaskovski · 25 Feb 2015 at 15:13

They seem to think they are going to make the grid in Aus, and are aiming for a logistics dispatch date of the 5th of March...

Good for them if they think they can do it. It must mean they are going to have had a crash test on this years car approved by then surely?

drunkenmaster · 25 Feb 2015 at 15:27

There was a story during the last test at some point that they'd entered their car for crash testing in early March. So they have that on the schedule, if they fail it though I presume they would be completely screwed at this stage. Depends how much they had to rush the work on the car and what they had to change, likely not to much but the nose. AFAIK the story was that they had sent a 2015 spec car to be tested... so I presume that includes a 2015 spec nose.

Skeeter · 25 Feb 2015 at 15:46

Yes they are planning to test a 2015 spec car in March.

The hard deadline is the 3rd race of the season. After that they lose their rights to the prize money from 2014.

Guerrilla · 27 Feb 2015 at 13:16

Manor Marussia: Energy firm boss is behind team rescue

The main investor behind the revival of the Manor Marussia team is Stephen Fitzpatrick, boss of energy firm Ovo.

Guerrilla · 27 Feb 2015 at 14:37

FIA approves Manor's Formula 1 return on new 2015 entry list

The Manor team has moved another step closer its Formula 1 return with the FIA approving its entry to the 2015 championship on Friday.

On an updated list for the 2015 F1 world championship, motor racing's governing body confirmed that the Manor Marussia F1 team's place on the grid was secure.

It all seems to be heading in the right direction for them

Duke · 27 Feb 2015 at 18:14

Thats good

Kulealshi · 27 Feb 2015 at 18:30

Any more clear info in regards to who's getting the 2nd seat? I can see 3 suitable candidates for it:

Magnussen - McLaren backing
Raffaele Marciello - Ferrari backing
Stoffel Vandoorne - long shot, but he's comparable to K-Mag in pace for me.

Skeeter · 27 Feb 2015 at 18:44

They are heavily backed by Ferrari so a McLaren driver taking the spot is very unlikely.

Who's in the Ferrari development program?

Kulealshi · 27 Feb 2015 at 19:15

Skeeter said:
They are heavily backed by Ferrari so a McLaren driver taking the spot is very unlikely.

Who's in the Ferrari development program?

Raffelle Marciello - GP2, unlucky last year but was very good in F3 in 2013.
Lance Stroll - F3, won the winter Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand, looking like a top prospect for the future.
Antonio Fuoco - GP3 this year, decent in F3 the previous season.

McLaren are backing Manor just as much as Ferrari minus the engines aren't they? Simulator and technical assistance?

Timo Glock is still owed money as well I think...

Duke · 27 Feb 2015 at 20:30

Why wouldn't they put the future champion back in the second seat?

Skeeter · 27 Feb 2015 at 20:53

I think he's already got a contract to win all the American race series this year lined up?

Guerrilla · 28 Feb 2015 at 05:11

Yea I think Chilton is working with Carlin in their Indylights programme.
Doubtful it'll be Vandoorne, he'll be pushing for the GP2 championship.
Rossi was a name that was linked with Marussia but he's just been announced for GP2 with RE.

I think they should poach Carmen Jorda, she seems very highly regarded by her peers

Kulealshi · 28 Feb 2015 at 08:55

Guerrilla said:
Yea I think Chilton is working with Carlin in their Indylights programme.
Doubtful it'll be Vandoorne, he'll be pushing for the GP2 championship.
Rossi was a name that was linked with Marussia but he's just been announced for GP2 with RE.

I think they should poach Carmen Jorda, she seems very highly regarded by her peers

Hey, at least she's pretty consistent...