The Manor-Marussia Saga

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Well, he'd hardly call them out as lacking credibility in such a public manner, would he? It would tank any potential deal on the spot. Although if they weren't credible, then I doubt the auction would have been cancelled and we wouldn't have heard about it. And while they might be desperate enough to hear any offer, they would still have to convince the administrators of the investors' veracity.
 
prisonermonkeys
Well, he'd hardly call them out as lacking credibility in such a public manner, would he? It would tank any potential deal on the spot. Although if they weren't credible, then I doubt the auction would have been cancelled and we wouldn't have heard about it. And while they might be desperate enough to hear any offer, they would still have to convince the administrators of the investors' veracity.
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Or he could just be less direct and not sound so blunt as if the rescue package is on its way as they speak. I mean saying things in a more vague manner seems so much safer and the fact that the auction was called off already helps momentum. So that's why him saying it is a bit striking when he could have played his hand better, but that me just be me.
 
James Allen is implying that the potential investors are connected to a driver or drivers who need experience in Formula 1 to stand a chance at getting a seat in 2016 when the new superlicence regulations come into effect:

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2015/...f-being-on-the-grid-in-melbourne-pretty-high/

I'm interpreting that to be Jolyon Palmer. He can't compete in GP2 this year as he's the reigning champion, and Formula Renault 3.5 isn't an option given the superlicence points structure.
 
prisonermonkeys
James Allen is implying that the potential investors are connected to a driver or drivers who need experience in Formula 1 to stand a chance at getting a seat in 2016 when the new superlicence regulations come into effect:
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Greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat more pay drivers...

 
prisonermonkeys
Yes, because pay drivers - not the insane costs of competing - are the problem.

Anyway, Palmer has joined Lotus for Friday running.
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Did I ever say otherwise?
 
prisonermonkeys
Well, there's the way you bemoan the idea of another pay driver when the team's financial struggles are well-documented.
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Because it should be based on talent, doesn't mean I don't blame the insane costs of developing cars.
 
The story goes that Haas has bought the factory and hired some of the Marussia staff....
 
Holdenhsvgtsr
The story goes that Haas has bought the factory and hired some of the Marussia staff....
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A story started by thejudge13, who is desperate to be a "source". Haas has shown no interest in competing in 2015, and Lowdon and Booth have suggested that the investor in question wants to go racing.
 
Bernie reckons Marussia can be saved after meeting with the prospective buyer. He is less enthusiastic about Caterham's chances of revival, though:

http://m.skysports.com/article/formula1//9655334

He also pours cold water on the rumour that Gene Haas is Marussia's mystery investor. The latest rumour is the one that just won't die - a Mexican-backed Ferrari B-team, which has been kicking around for years.
 
Guessing the Haas rumor was sparked by him buying their factory.
 
That's part of it. The other part is, as I said, thejudge13 trying to bag an exclusive after they shot their own credibility (not that they had much) to pieces last year.
 
Meanwhile, Caterham's administrators admit that selling the team is harder than first expected, but are still pressing on as they will need to find a buyer before the season starts, but they are under no obligation to organise an auction before that time:

http://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN0KV14X20150122?irpc=932

As for Marussia, the latest bonkers rumour is that they could be bought by McLaren. The idea seems to be based on some of Stoffel Vandoorne's comments that a McLaren B-team, but at this point an early entry for Haas or a Mexican-backed Ferrari junior squad seems more likely. Honda have said that they will obly supply McLaren in 2015, and even if they were open to a customer sipply deal, there is no time for Marussia to build a new car (and the MNR-1 was designed around a Ferrari engine), so they would be forced to use Ferrari power - and there is no way Ferrari (or any other engine supplier) would allow that as it would give Honda unlimited access to their data, especially since the regulations state that customer teams must receive engine upgrades as the supplier makes them available.
 
The German tabloids are now claiming that Force India are in dire straits:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/force-india-facing-uncertain-future-report

They also claim Maldonado's place at Lotus is in jeopardy given the price of oil and the stain it's placing on the Venezuelan economy, but I wouldn't read too much into it - someone claims Maldonado is in trouble every year (it's the new "Toro Rosso will be bought by Middle Eastern investors" story) as it's pandering to the fan desire to see him out of the sport, and so is a popular way to boost readership and visitor traffic.
 
prisonermonkeys
The German tabloids are now claiming that Force India are in dire straits:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/force-india-facing-uncertain-future-report

They also claim Maldonado's place at Lotus is in jeopardy given the price of oil and the stain it's placing on the Venezuelan economy, but I wouldn't read too much into it - someone claims Maldonado is in trouble every year (it's the new "Toro Rosso will be bought by Middle Eastern investors" story) as it's pandering to the fan desire to see him out of the sport, and so is a popular way to boost readership and visitor traffic.
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The claim is made that the team is insolvent and lacking vital parts due to unpaid bills.

If this is so and the team can't race, then wouldn't that automatically require a couple of 3-car teams to make up the minimum required numbers on the starting grid?
 
Yes, they did, José Cuervo (A tequila producer from the region Pérez was born) and another one.

But Ferrari got the big one, América Móvil (Telmex, Claro, and Telcel)
 
AJHG1000
Yes, they did, José Cuervo (A tequila producer from the region Pérez was born) and another one.

But Ferrari got the big one, América Móvil (Telmex, Claro, and Telcel)
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Wait so Telmex AND Telcel are owned by the same company?
 
RACECAR
Wait so Telmex AND Telcel are owned by the same company?
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Yes. Claro, too. They're all owned by Carlos Slim under the America Movil name.

Dotini
If this is so and the team can't race, then wouldn't that automatically require a couple of 3-car teams to make up the minimum required numbers on the starting grid?
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Having three-car teams in Melbourne was impractical when the idea was first floated a few months ago. It would be impossible now.
 
prisonermonkeys
Having three-car teams in Melbourne was impractical when the idea was first floated a few months ago. It would be impossible now.
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Would Bernie force it to happen though.

So we have one dead team, one that is looking death in the face, the two remaining backmarkers are supposedly in financial trouble, and McLaren.....is.....confusing. Any other teams that I missed on the 'Cash Crunch Carousel'?
 
BKGlover
Would Bernie force it to happen though.
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I doubt it. The teams would have to build a third chassis, plus spares (most drivers will go through several chassis over the course of a year; that's why Jenson Button's 2009 title was so impressive - he contested every race with the sane chassis, and when Barrichello crashed in Singapore and switched to the spare, Button had to finish the season knowing that one mistake would cost him the title as there was no money to build another). That means sourcing additional parts, and getting extra engines from suppliers. They would need to purchase and calibrate additional race infrastructure - the stuff you see in the pits - and the means to transport it. They would need to hire new staff and completely refresh their travel plans for both personnel and equipment. And they would need to do all of it in a month while conducting winter testing.

Bernie is a pragmatist. His experience of running a team might not be recent, but he knows what the teams have to do just to get to Melbourne. He is not going to force anyone to run a third car when he knows that it cannot be done. Especially not on the back of a clickbaity tabloid piece claiming that a team is insolvent. If third cars were to happen, he would consult with the teams, find out the earliest that they could feasibly be run, and push for that date.

Don't make the mistake of assuming that because Bernie's decisions have been unpopular in the past, he has no idea of the needs of the teams or makes decisions without consulting them. He has been involved in every step of the rescue plans for Caterham and Marussia, and I see no reason why he would suddenly change now.
 
@prisonermonkeys Thanks for the insight. My thoughts on Bernie is that he does get in hot water quite a bit, but F1 seems to have grown massively over last decade, and I know nothing, so how bad can he really be. Wasn't it Bernie who wanted more teams years ago? If so, even if the team is dead, he'd be doing a lot to keep them active, even if it means they're sold.

I guess, anyway. I'm not gonna claim any F1 knowledge beyond being able to list the teams, so this may be completely off, and if so I'm sorry.
 
Rumours in Jerez suggest that McLaren are interested in saving Marussia to create a B-team for Vandoorne and Magnussen.
 
I have no idea. But the programme would come with the support of Honda.
 
Now on Autosport:

http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117584/marussia-closes-on-surprise-f1-return

Cliff notes:
- An investor has been found, but it's not clear who they are.
- It's (probably) not McLaren.
- 2015 entry fee has been paid.
- Participation depends on their getting approval to use the MR03 chassis.
- Smaller teams may oppose re-entry as it may cost them commercially.

And according to Sky, they are entitled to their 2014 payout:

http://m.skysports.com/article/formula1//9698920
 
Kevin Eason is reporting on Twitter that Marussia's investor is Justin King.
 
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