Manor officially under administration

The British media relayed news this morning, and Manor Racing officially confirmed it later today: the company Just Racing Services Ltd, which includes the team that fielded Pascal Wehrlein and Esteban Ocon was placed under administration.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, owner of Manor Racing since the beginning of 2015, repeated at the end of 2016 his hope the arrival of new investors, but negotiations ultimately failed, forcing the Banbury-based team in Great Britain to make this announcement.

“Today's decision to place the team into administration represents a disappointing end to the two-year journey with Manor, comments Fitzpatrick. We had been talking to several investor groups for much of last year and had finally agreed a sale to an Asian investment consortium in December, which would have provided the team with a strong platform for continued growth and development.

Unfortunately, time ran out before they could complete the transaction. Not wanting to repeat the situation already experienced, we resolved in 2015 not to start a season that we knew with certainty we could not compete in, so we made the difficult decision to put the team's operating company under administration. »

For Fitzpatrick, the Brazilian Grand Prix episode played a decisive role in the future of Manor Racing. With Pascal Wehrlein's point in Austria, Manor was ahead of its rival Sauber until Interlagos. But the result of the structureHinwil in South America with Felipe Nasr's ninth place cost Manor tenth place in the Constructors' Championship and the related financial income.

“When I took over the team in 2015, the challenge was clear, it was imperative that the team finish 10th or better in 2016, specifies Fitzpatrick. For most of the season we were on the right track. But the dramatic race in Brazil ended our hopes of this result and ultimately cast doubt on the team's ability to race in 2017.

I look back with pride on what Manor achieved in the most successful year in the team's history. I would like to thank the team for their hard work, determination and passion. But it wasn't enough. »

If Manor were not to appear on the starting grid for the Australian Grand Prix next March, the absence of the British team could redistribute the cards for drivers like Felipe Nasr who still do not have a seat for 2017, knowing that Pascal Wehrlein is expected to join Sauber.