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Manor owner Stephen Fitzpatrick says that Sauber's ninth place finish at Brazil has put Manor in the situation they are currently in.
Manor confirmed earlier today that they had entered administration, and are looking doubtful for competing in the 2017 season.
Manor were ahead of Sauber for much of 2016 as they claimed a point in Austria, but Sauber bounced back with Felipe Nasr's ninth place finish in Brazil, taking them ahead of Manor in the constructors championship.
"When I took over the team in 2015, the challenge was clear; it was imperative that the team finish in 10th place or better in 2016," Fitzpatrick said.
"For much of the season we were on track. But the dramatic race in Brazil ended our hopes of this result and ultimately brought into doubt the team's ability to race in 2017."
Finishing bottom of the standings means you are entitled to the least amount of prize cash, and in a complicated system where it your income is based on the last three seasons of competing, Manor's situation doesn't look good as they've finished last twice in the last three years.
"Today's decision to put the team into administration represents a disappointing end to a two-year journey for Manor," he said. "Over much of the last year we have been in discussions with several investor groups, and had finally agreed terms of a sale to an Asian investment consortium in December."
"This 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 wishing to repeat events of the past, we resolved in 2015 not to start any season that we did not know for certain we could complete, so we have taken the difficult decision to put the team's operating company into administration."
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Replies (1)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Well, it really was a fight for survival between the two, I doubt Sauber would've been much better of had they ended up last, with or without new owners.