RIP Manor Racing (2010-2017)

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 20 Jan 2015, 18:09

mario wrote:
CoopsII wrote:
Backmarker wrote:Speedweek claim the buyer is Gene Haas. The rationale is that Haas and Ferrari are among the creditors owed by Marussia: Haas buying them would essentially clear both those debts, and allow him to claim the 2014 prize money.

Would Haas then run Marussia and his own team the following year or just Marussia?

If, and it is a big if, Haas were to take over Marussia, it would make more sense to merge his resources into Marussia and make that into his team, rather than starting from scratch. He already owns the prototype car that Marussia made for 2015, along with their facilities, and both he and Marussia would have a common engine supplier (Ferrari), so there would be little value in duplicating everything and stretching his resources over two teams.

Also, as Marussia/Haas are guaranteed to finish at least 10th in 2015, by 2016 Haas will have collected the prize money for 2014 and 2015, which is a tidy sum (around $60m?)

Post by **mario** » 20 Jan 2015, 21:16

Backmarker wrote:Also, as Marussia/Haas are guaranteed to finish at least 10th in 2015, by 2016 Haas will have collected the prize money for 2014 and 2015, which is a tidy sum (around $60m?)

In theory Marussia are eligible for that prize money now, since they have finished in 10th place in the WCC twice in the past three years and would therefore be eligible for "Tier 2" payments.

However, whilst the contract they have with FOM allowed them to skip three races and still claim their prize money (in theory), technically the FIA has the right to strip a team of its entry rights if they fail to appear for one race, which would also strip them of their rights to any money under the Concorde Agreement.

The FIA could also declare that Marussia's entry rights were voided when the company entered administration, or otherwise decide that the team was a new constructor rather than a continuation of the existing team, which would again technically strip the team of any rights to prize money (along the lines of what happened to Sauber when BMW pulled out and voided their entry rights - the FIA classified Sauber as a new manufacturer and technically stripped them of their rights to prize money, although Bernie reportedly intervened to ensure Sauber were paid prize money).

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 20 Jan 2015, 21:37

And I don't think he would take kindly to someone buying a team for the prize money. Especially since he would be making a loss.

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 20 Jan 2015, 22:05

If Haas ends up buying the team and runs it this season, I don't think Todt and the FIA will stand in their path. It keeps 20 cars on the grid in the interim before Haas proper entry comes into force, and bolsters the grid in case Sauber, Lotus or anyone else goes to the wall in 2015.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 21 Jan 2015, 08:04

AndreaModa wrote:If Haas ends up buying the team and runs it this season, I don't think Todt and the FIA will stand in their path. It keeps 20 cars on the grid in the interim before Haas proper entry comes into force, and bolsters the grid in case Sauber, Lotus or anyone else goes to the wall in 2015.

Nice photo's by the way. For a moment I thought the signs and roads ones in England and the Gambia were a bit of a random addition, but I quite liked them to be honest.

RLeb · Post by **RLeb** » 21 Jan 2015, 12:01

So, if Haas was to invest in Marussia, it would be a bit like how BAR invested in Tyrrell in 1998, to prepare for BAR's debut in 1999.

Still a shame, as Marussia would simply evolve into Haas in 2016, and we would be still end up short 1 team.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 21 Jan 2015, 12:11

RLeb wrote:So, if Haas was to invest in Marussia, it would be a bit like how BAR invested in Tyrrell in 1998, to prepare for BAR's debut in 1999.

Still a shame, as Marussia would simply evolve into Haas in 2016, and we would be still end up short 1 team.

So which driver would be closest to being able to fulfil Riccardo Rosset's role in the driver line-up?

golic_2004 · Post by **golic_2004** » 21 Jan 2015, 13:17

dr-baker wrote:
RLeb wrote:So, if Haas was to invest in Marussia, it would be a bit like how BAR invested in Tyrrell in 1998, to prepare for BAR's debut in 1999.

Still a shame, as Marussia would simply evolve into Haas in 2016, and we would be still end up short 1 team.

So which driver would be closest to being able to fulfil Riccardo Rosset's role in the driver line-up?

Tough one

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 21 Jan 2015, 15:47

golic_2004 wrote:
dr-baker wrote:
RLeb wrote:So, if Haas was to invest in Marussia, it would be a bit like how BAR invested in Tyrrell in 1998, to prepare for BAR's debut in 1999.

Still a shame, as Marussia would simply evolve into Haas in 2016, and we would be still end up short 1 team.

So which driver would be closest to being able to fulfil Riccardo Rosset's role in the driver line-up?

Tough one

In trying to answer my own question, I would suggest Milka Duno, because she's South American like Rosset.

Or perhaps Danica Patrick, because she's American, and I think Haas is looking for American drivers?

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 21 Jan 2015, 15:57

golic_2004 wrote:
dr-baker wrote:
RLeb wrote:So, if Haas was to invest in Marussia, it would be a bit like how BAR invested in Tyrrell in 1998, to prepare for BAR's debut in 1999.

Still a shame, as Marussia would simply evolve into Haas in 2016, and we would be still end up short 1 team.

So which driver would be closest to being able to fulfil Riccardo Rosset's role in the driver line-up?

Tough one

Someone would have to fill the Tyrrell and Verstappen roles too

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 21 Jan 2015, 15:58

FullMetalJack wrote:
golic_2004 wrote:
dr-baker wrote:So which driver would be closest to being able to fulfil Riccardo Rosset's role in the driver line-up?

Tough one

Someone would have to fill the Tyrrell and Verstappen roles too

Well, Verstappen could fill Verstappen role.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 21 Jan 2015, 16:07

DanielPT wrote:
FullMetalJack wrote:
dr-baker wrote:So which driver would be closest to being able to fulfil Riccardo Rosset's role in the driver line-up?

Someone would have to fill the Tyrrell and Verstappen roles too

Well, Verstappen could fill Verstappen role.

He could if he was nixed by the team in favour of someone shite causing the team boss to leave a year early.

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 21 Jan 2015, 16:10

Alex Rossi had been kicking around that he was in discussions with Gene Haas for a little bit now. Over here we all thought he was talking about for 2016 though. So this does add up a bit. And if any NASCAR driver comes over it will be Kurt Busch, not Danica. He impressed at Indy this year.

I personally hopes this happens, Marussia was my favorite non-RBR team. Fingers crossed here. But as others have said, it makes way too much sense to happen.

andrew2209 · Post by **andrew2209** » 21 Jan 2015, 17:03

One rumour is that Ferrari could be interested in buying the team. Gutierrez and Marciello could be a potential lineup, with Gutierrez's Mexican sponsors, and Marciello as part of the Ferrari driver academy

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 21 Jan 2015, 18:49

Rumours of a Mexican-backed Ferrari B-team have been kicking around for years. I'll believe it when I see it.

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 21 Jan 2015, 19:08

Autosport have confirmed that Haas isn't involved with reviving the team. He's bought the factory, and will only start using it once everything in there that is due to be sold has been cleared out. So that rules him out. Autosport take a wild punt at the end of their article and toss the Ferrari B team rumour into the ring. Not sure how far that one will go though.

f1andrea · Post by **f1andrea** » 21 Jan 2015, 19:27

I think Ferrari could be really interested to acquire the team, also after that the Forza Rossa project has been aborted (even if Ferrari officially would not be directly involved). In Italy in the last few years the media pushed for it, also for help Ferrari political force, in order to contrast the two Red Bull team and have a major political weight

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 21 Jan 2015, 19:38

AndreaModa wrote:Autosport have confirmed that Haas isn't involved with reviving the team. He's bought the factory, and will only start using it once everything in there that is due to be sold has been cleared out. So that rules him out. Autosport take a wild punt at the end of their article and toss the Ferrari B team rumour into the ring. Not sure how far that one will go though.

NBC is reporting it as well, with Haas basically saying "Why would I rush in?" Which, while a good point, still stinks.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 22 Jan 2015, 01:14

If it's not Haas and if it's not Ferrari, then I think that it's safe to assume that it's Quantum Racing

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 22 Jan 2015, 10:24

Captain Hammer wrote:If it's not Haas and if it's not Ferrari, then I think that it's safe to assume that it's Quantum Racing

Who's Quantum Racing? Googling them only produces manufacturers of suspensions, and a seller of sails.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 22 Jan 2015, 10:26

dr-baker wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:If it's not Haas and if it's not Ferrari, then I think that it's safe to assume that it's Quantum Racing

Who's Quantum Racing? Googling them only produces manufacturers of suspensions, and a seller of sails.

They were the group that were going to buy into Lotus, but never did.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 22 Jan 2015, 10:31

Captain Hammer wrote:
dr-baker wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:If it's not Haas and if it's not Ferrari, then I think that it's safe to assume that it's Quantum Racing

Who's Quantum Racing? Googling them only produces manufacturers of suspensions, and a seller of sails.

They were the group that were going to buy into Lotus, but never did.

Ah, OK. Thank you. What else are they involved with? Are they the same as the suspension manufacturers that I Googled?

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 22 Jan 2015, 10:36

Captain Hammer wrote:If it's not Haas and if it's not Ferrari, then I think that it's safe to assume that it's Quantum Racing

If it's Quantum Racing then it is safe to say that nothing will happen.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 22 Jan 2015, 10:57

Alright, who are you people and what have you done with the F1 Rejects members? I make reference to the single most rejectful team ownership episode since a Nigerian prince tried to buy into Arrows, and nobody gets it?

dr-baker wrote:What else are they involved with? Are they the same as the suspension manufacturers that I Googled?

They're not involved with anything, and nor are they the suspension manufacturers you mentioned. They were a consortium of investors who strung Lotus along for six months with the promise of a $200 million investment that never eventuated.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 22 Jan 2015, 11:03

Captain Hammer wrote:Alright, who are you people and what have you done with the F1 Rejects members? I make reference to the single most rejectful team ownership episode since a Nigerian prince tried to buy into Arrows, and nobody gets it?

dr-baker wrote:What else are they involved with? Are they the same as the suspension manufacturers that I Googled?

They're not involved with anything, and nor are they the suspension manufacturers you mentioned. They were a consortium of investors who strung Lotus along for six months with the promise of a $200 million investment that never eventuated.

Gosh, how could I have forgotten that?! :oops:

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 22 Jan 2015, 11:23

DanielPT wrote:
Captain Hammer wrote:If it's not Haas and if it's not Ferrari, then I think that it's safe to assume that it's Quantum Racing

If it's Quantum Racing then it is safe to say that nothing will happen.

Maybe Quantum Racing leaps it's drivers into other drivers at different points in time.

Ask your Dads if you need to

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 22 Jan 2015, 11:35

CoopsII wrote:Maybe Quantum Racing leaps it's drivers into other drivers at different points in time.

Ask your Dads if you need to

I am aware of that show although only via Internet about a year ago. It aired in Portugal some years after the US but somehow I never noticed it.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 22 Jan 2015, 12:04

Quantum sort of just fizzled into the ether of background F1 knowledge... now, if you had gone with QADBAK...

watka · Post by **watka** » 22 Jan 2015, 13:27

Salamander wrote:Quantum sort of just fizzled into the ether of background F1 knowledge... now, if you had gone with QADBAK...

Exactly who I was thinking of! They stuffed over Notts County too.

Collieafc · Post by **Collieafc** » 22 Jan 2015, 13:29

If you ask me, if not Haas or a Ferrari B-Team or Quantum, that leaves only one possible buyer...

Zoran Stevanovic

You heard it here first...

(Whats he up to nowadays anyway?)

Pointrox · Post by **Pointrox** » 22 Jan 2015, 15:44

Even Ecclestone is positive about Marussia's chances of survival after meeting with the potential investor

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 22 Jan 2015, 19:05

Captain Hammer wrote:Alright, who are you people and what have you done with the F1 Rejects members? I make reference to the single most rejectful team ownership episode since a Nigerian prince tried to buy into Arrows, and nobody gets it?

While the decline of the site has a lot to do with it, I must admit that it went over my head as well.

For rejectness, why not Branson again? Start the whole cycle anew?

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 22 Jan 2015, 19:13

What are Prodrive doing these days? They're building an enormous new factory - maybe its to house an F1 team?

Post by **Londoner** » 22 Jan 2015, 21:21

AndreaModa wrote:What are Prodrive doing these days? They're building an enormous new factory - maybe its to house an F1 team?

I believe they run the works Aston Martin team in the WEC.

f1andrea · Post by **f1andrea** » 24 Jan 2015, 12:00

Marussia could use a factory in Sheffield, it will be named Manor and the mysterious investor seem to be indian, with Ferrari could help.Will Stevens is in Pole Position, the team is searching only for a pay driver. Ecclestone is pushing hard for save both Marussia and Caterham

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 24 Jan 2015, 12:22

f1andrea wrote:Marussia could use a factory in Sheffield, it will be named Manor and the mysterious investor seem to be indian, with Ferrari could help.Will Stevens is in Pole Position, the team is searching only for a pay driver. Ecclestone is pushing hard for save both Marussia and Caterham

Haha, would LOVE to see Will Stevens on pole postion in Melbourne! (I know that's not what you meant, but that's what came to my mind!...)

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 25 Jan 2015, 04:11

f1andrea wrote:Marussia could use a factory in Sheffield, it will be named Manor and the mysterious investor seem to be indian, with Ferrari could help.Will Stevens is in Pole Position, the team is searching only for a pay driver. Ecclestone is pushing hard for save both Marussia and Caterham

That's an unusually specific rumour.

FMecha · Post by **FMecha** » 25 Jan 2015, 06:05

For those out of the loop with the Quantum stuff...

The organization is actually called Quantum Motorsport.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 25 Jan 2015, 07:48

They could have at least called themselves SPECTRE.

dinizintheoven · Post by **dinizintheoven** » 04 Feb 2015, 09:44

The BBC's live commentary on testing day four wrote:BREAKING NEWS
Posted at 09:30

The Marussia team's chances of returning to Formula 1 this season have increased.

The team ceased trading last November but there is now a plan for them to come out of administration on 19 February and receive new investment.

Administrators FRP Advisory said the company was making "progress towards a longer-term viable solution".

Marussia's president Graeme Lowdon has sourced new investors, the identity of which is not yet known.

I'll believe any of this when I see it, mind. And at this late stage, and having to use the 2014 car, surely an HRT-esque performance and enforcement of the 107% rule (which will be even harder given that Mercedes are going to be a huge amount faster this year...) would be certain to follow...