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Will Stevens (Image source: skysports.com)
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And in another sign of good news, apparently
Manor went from Zero's to Hero's with reportedly two rival engine manufacturers
jousting for the ability to provide them (PU) Power Units for 2015. With
rumours claiming Ron Dennis has been pressing Honda for a second PU supply to
create a true Honda 'B-team, whilst reportedly la Scuderia Sporting Boss Maurizio Arrivabene says
Ferrari has a verbal agreement in place to supply 2014-spec Power Units to the
Manor team instead.
And while I'm all for Manor claiming its
rightful spot upon the Formula 1 grid this season, I'm a bit disappointed that
Manor's gone the Ferrari route, as it seems
to Mwah that they'll be the third string this year, and then the fourth
option in 2016 when Haas F1 joins the grid as Ferrari's de facto 'B-team, which
surely must make both Sauber and Manor concerned over preferential engine
supply to the newly flagged American
Grand Prix squad, right?
Thus I can only hazard a guess that Hondre'
wasn't willing or able to supply a second team factory grade PU's on such short
notice? Although there's always 2016...
Hmm? Perhaps Ferrari's willing to give Manor
a "Sweetheart Deal," possibly even going so far as forgiving part of
its current engine bill, while its funny that the rival F1 Constructor's Huffed
'N Puffed over Manor running an updated 2014-spec chassis, yet apparently
campaigning a year old Power Unit (PU) is perfectly acceptable; GO FIGURE!
And although I wonder how this will make the
Manor chassis capable of beating the 107% qualifying rule for the privilege of
lining up "Tail-gunner Charlie" on the grid, nonetheless, I sincerely
hope Manor does indeed resume racing this year and into the foreseeable future,
even better yet, scoring more F1 Constructors points one day!
GOOD LUCK
MANOR!
UPDATE!
Although I'd read two different versions of
the team's new name, i.e.; Manor F1 and Manor Grand Prix; it appears for
unspoken legal reasons, the team will race this year as Manor-Marussia F1,
albeit suppose the official nomenclature will be Manor Marussia F1 Team, eh?
As plans continue progressing, with the team
feverously working away 24/7 from Manor's original Donnington base to have its
2015 "Spec" Formula 1 chassis complete in time for the Australian GP,
having just recently announced their first driver as 23yr old Briton Will
Stevens, who made his Grand Prix debut last year at Abu Dhabi for Caterham...