However, Telegraph Sport understands Marussia’s investors – fronted by
former Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King – did not realise they were
on the agenda for the Strategy Group meeting and were not given formal
notice that their plan to revive Marussia, now known as Manor, had been
rejected. Mr King and his backers in the City are no fools, but this
infighting could put them off Formula One for good.
It is all the more bizarre given the plan to use a 2014-spec car is thought to
have been originally suggested at the F1 Commission last year by Christian
Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, and Ron Dennis, the McLaren boss. Manor
were under the impression that the other teams were receptive to their plan.
Questions should also be asked of the sport’s governing body, the FIA, who
have totally absolved themselves of responsibility in this case. One cannot
imagine Max Mosley, Jean Todt’s predecessor as president, remaining so mute
in a crisis such as this. The current state of revenue distribution between
the teams, which favours the biggest squads, is also to blame.
Now Graeme Lowden and other executives from Manor will plough on trying to
persuade the other teams, including Force India, to back their plan. If not,
they will strive to make a 2015-spec car and only miss the first three races
of the season, which allow them to keep their prize money.
The administrator for Manor has not changed its course in planning to bring
the team out of administration on February 19, which is understood to have
the backing of Ferrari, the biggest creditor, owed £16 million for last
year’s engines.
Executives from Manor are understood to be meeting Formula One’s supremo,
Bernie Ecclestone, on Friday to discuss a way out of this mess.