RIP Manor Racing (2010-2017)

[Bobby Doorknobs]

That bloke who won Auto GP is probably due a return to F1 now, a-la Glock and Grosjean. What's his name? Ah, yes, Antônio Pizzonia.

He would be challenging Luca Badoer and Jan Lammers for their record now, wouldn't he? Let's do it!

I'd rather see one of his contemporaries from the 2004 season. You know, the Hungarian bloke

[dr-baker]

That bloke who won Auto GP is probably due a return to F1 now, a-la Glock and Grosjean. What's his name? Ah, yes, Antônio Pizzonia.

He would be challenging Luca Badoer and Jan Lammers for their record now, wouldn't he? Let's do it!

I'd rather see one of his contemporaries from the 2004 season. You know, the Hungarian bloke

Some guy whose name I seem unable to say for some reason? Good call.

[Izzyeviel]

Came across this lovely story about Jules in the Guardian.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/27/jules-bianchi-remembered-by-yohan-blake-formula-one

[Ataxia]

Manor have managed to sign Nikolas Tombazis as their chief aerodynamicist. With experience at both McLaren and Ferrari, you'd have to say that's a bit of a coup.

[UncreativeUsername37]

Manor have managed to sign Nikolas Tombazis as their chief aerodynamicist. With experience at both McLaren and Ferrari, you'd have to say that's a bit of a coup.

So that puts them only -2 on special people compared to last season?

[mario]

Manor have managed to sign Nikolas Tombazis as their chief aerodynamicist. With experience at both McLaren and Ferrari, you'd have to say that's a bit of a coup.

So that puts them only -2 on special people compared to last season?

It's interesting that the team has, nevertheless, found some fairly heavy hitters in the form of individuals such as Tombazis and Ryan. Now, Tombazis is probably arriving at too late a stage to influence the car, but it will be interesting to see if he can have an impact on some of their later season developments.

[AndreaModa]

Manor have managed to sign Nikolas Tombazis as their chief aerodynamicist. With experience at both McLaren and Ferrari, you'd have to say that's a bit of a coup.

So that puts them only -2 on special people compared to last season?

It's interesting that the team has, nevertheless, found some fairly heavy hitters in the form of individuals such as Tombazis and Ryan. Now, Tombazis is probably arriving at too late a stage to influence the car, but it will be interesting to see if he can have an impact on some of their later season developments.

I'm sure you've seen the news Mario, but Manor confirmed they've passed the crash tests earlier this week on Twitter. Autosport ran the story.

Also, on a different note, no Manor presence at all at Autosport International this year. Disappointed not to see one of their cars on the mock grid which is mostly made up of teams' show cars cobbled together from spares. This year Ferrari got their time machine out to display what appeared to be mostly a 2009 F60! The McLaren was 2015 spec though it seemed, but no Manor, or Sauber either for that matter. Sad times!

[Bobby Doorknobs]

Marussia are no more...

That's right, it's Manor from now on!

[golic_2004]

Marussia are no more...

That's right, it's Manor from now on!

I even like the new logo.

[Wallio]

Interesting that Booth has the Twitter account @realManor and are telling people, "not to be fooled". Another Lotus vs. Lotus situation?

[dr-baker]

Interesting that Booth has the Twitter account @realManor and are telling people, "not to be fooled". Another Lotus vs. Lotus situation?

So not the Virgin Manor then?

(Harking back to five-year-old puns)

[AndreaModa]

I've seen the @realManor account but aside from the initial tweet when it was set up months ago, there's been nothing on there. Where's this stuff about Booth saying that we shouldn't be fooled? Doesn't seem like him if I'm honest.

[mario]

I've seen the @realManor account but aside from the initial tweet when it was set up months ago, there's been nothing on there. Where's this stuff about Booth saying that we shouldn't be fooled? Doesn't seem like him if I'm honest.

It does sound a little out of character for him, but I guess that we will have to wait and see what might come of this situation.

Interesting that Booth has the Twitter account @realManor and are telling people, "not to be fooled". Another Lotus vs. Lotus situation?

I would hazard a guess that the team submitted their request to change the official constructor entry from Marussia (as the team had a legal agreement to continue using the name in 2015, but not after that, after Marussia Motors was shut down) to Manor prior to Lowdon and Booth falling out with Fitzpatrick. With the FIA having accepted the change in name, the team is probably now in a situation where they have to continue using the same name in order to maintain their eligibility for prize money from FOM.

In that sense, it is reminiscent of the situation Sauber were in back in 2010 - as BMW had lodged their official entry in the name of BMW-Sauber, Sauber had to continue using that name in order for their entry rights and commercial revenue rights to remain valid. Booth is, no doubt, not pleased to see the Manor name stick with the team he just left, but I suspect that they will probably retain the name until the end of 2016 (when they can change again, if necessary, without potentially forfeiting their revenue rights).

[Ataxia]

Wizzie will be pleased.

[Wallio]

I've seen the @realManor account but aside from the initial tweet when it was set up months ago, there's been nothing on there. Where's this stuff about Booth saying that we shouldn't be fooled? Doesn't seem like him if I'm honest.

After rereading the NBC story, the reporter, Tony DiZinno, said that, not Booth himself. Tony tells people not to be fooled into thinking the team is Booth's new project, which has the @realManor tag, and then has a picture of Booth in what appears to be an airplane cockpit.

Still odd nonetheless.

[AndreaModa]

Wizzie will be pleased.

I thought the exact same thing when I first saw that news. I need to get out more.

[UncreativeUsername37]

I'm still going to say Manor. No point in initials when they take longer to say and don't look as nice as a short word in text.

[FullMetalJack]

I'm still going to say Manor. No point in initials when they take longer to say and don't look as nice as a short word in text.

Same here, although in Hispania's case, I always just referred to them as HRT.

[MorbidelliObese]

I'll respond in the Rantbox thread.

[CaptainGetz12]

Wizzie will be pleased.

Now hopefully the fate of the last team to use a 3-letter name doesn't rub off on them.

There is no Senna or Karthikeyan though, so that's already a good start!

[Rob Dylan]

Wizzie will be pleased.

Now hopefully the fate of the last team to use a 3-letter name doesn't rub off on them.

There is no Senna or Karthikeyan though, so that's already a good start!

Well the driver lineups haven't been confirmed yet, sooooo...

Bruno Senna and Narain Karthikeyan confirmed for Manor 2016, you heard it here first

[golic_2004]

Wizzie will be pleased.

Now hopefully the fate of the last team to use a 3-letter name doesn't rub off on them.

There is no Senna or Karthikeyan though, so that's already a good start!

Well the driver lineups haven't been confirmed yet, sooooo...

Bruno Senna and Narain Karthikeyan confirmed for Manor 2016, you heard it here first

Let the latter do NASCAR again so he can earn enough money to buy a seat like he did with HRT. ... Good God, what did I do?

[AndreaModa]

I believe the whole MRT thing has come about because Bernie prefers new teams without history to use abbreviations. Why? What does this achieve? Why is it even a bloody problem?

That said, it wouldn't surprise me if the decision has been motivated by Booth and Lowdon leaving, thus the team isn't really Manor any more, but the decision was taken to use Manor as the name before they left, and now it's too late to change it.

So prepare for the prospect of the team changing its name for a FIFTH time since late 2009!

Manor > Virgin > Marussia > Manor > ?

[Ataxia]

I believe the whole MRT thing has come about because Bernie prefers new teams without history to use abbreviations. Why? What does this achieve? Why is it even a bloody problem?

That said, it wouldn't surprise me if the decision has been motivated by Booth and Lowdon leaving, thus the team isn't really Manor any more, but the decision was taken to use Manor as the name before they left, and now it's too late to change it.

So prepare for the prospect of the team changing its name for a FIFTH time since late 2009!

Manor > Virgin > Marussia > Manor > ?

How about The Team Formerly Known As Manor?

[MorbidelliObese]

I believe the whole MRT thing has come about because Bernie prefers new teams without history to use abbreviations. Why? What does this achieve? Why is it even a bloody problem?

That said, it wouldn't surprise me if the decision has been motivated by Booth and Lowdon leaving, thus the team isn't really Manor any more, but the decision was taken to use Manor as the name before they left, and now it's too late to change it.

Yeah the whole Bernie thing irritated me on two levels, the fact that he prefers it in the first place, and also, the fact that if he paid attention outside of F1, Manor actually have quite a bloody lot of history. Which leads to what you say about Booth and Lowdon, if this is solely because they have left so they need a placeholder name until it changes again, then it's not as bad, especially as they are looking at starting a new venture outside of F1 I've heard (WEC maybe?) and I guess would like to use the Manor name for that.

[tumbano]

4 cars (2010 to 2013) are up for sale:

http://www.johnpye.co.uk/quartet-world- ... ioID=13969

[dr-baker]

I believe the whole MRT thing has come about because Bernie prefers new teams without history to use abbreviations. Why? What does this achieve? Why is it even a bloody problem?

If that's what he prefers, then maybe we should refer to him from now on as BCE. After all, that's where he belongs: Before the Christian Era...

[MorbidelliObese]

He should force Ferrari to use initials.

After first forcing them to rename themselves "Ferrari Automobile Racing Team".

[mario]

I believe the whole MRT thing has come about because Bernie prefers new teams without history to use abbreviations. Why? What does this achieve? Why is it even a bloody problem?

That said, it wouldn't surprise me if the decision has been motivated by Booth and Lowdon leaving, thus the team isn't really Manor any more, but the decision was taken to use Manor as the name before they left, and now it's too late to change it.

So prepare for the prospect of the team changing its name for a FIFTH time since late 2009!

Manor > Virgin > Marussia > Manor > ?

Where has that story come from? I've not heard any suggestion that is the case before - furthermore, surely the fact that the team was called both Marussia and Manor beforehand, when in both instances that team had no history in the sport to speak of, would seem to go against that idea.

Out of those arguments, I would agree that the second one is more likely - it is probably the result of a compromise agreement between Booth and Fitzpatrick that enables the team to continue as Manor Racing, and therefore not forfeit their prize money, rather than pressure from Bernie.

[AndreaModa]

I knew I'd seen it somewhere, turns out it was Adam Cooper: http://adamcooperf1.com/2016/01/20/manor-f1-chassis-to-be-called-mrt/

[Meatwad]

[deleted]

[Bobby Doorknobs]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122581

Manor have completed another high-profile signing: Pat Fry.

[Waris]

Am I the only one who thinks that literally nobody cares about this MRT chassis name stuff, and everybody is just going to call the cars Manors, same as back in the day with Midland?

Might as well call it the A-Team...

[dinizintheoven]

I see what you did there.

[Yannick]

So not the Virgin Manor then?

(Harking back to five-year-old puns)

Puns were best when they weren't pay-per-view yet

[Yannick]

I believe the whole MRT thing has come about because Bernie prefers new teams without history to use abbreviations. Why? What does this achieve? Why is it even a bloody problem?

If that's what he prefers, then maybe we should refer to him from now on as BCE. After all, that's where he belongs: Before the Christian Era...

Well, BCE's own team used to be called MRD which was always tough for track announcers at the French circuits back in the day ...

Meanwhile, Booth and Lowden have announced running a prototype entry at Le Mans under the Manor banner.
Now that's going to be a team to cheer for!

[dr-baker]

Well, BCE's own team used to be called MRD which was always tough for track announcers at the French circuits back in the day ...

Of course. Because "mardi" (Tuesday) would make life difficult for commentators!

[novitopoli]

Well, BCE's own team used to be called MRD which was always tough for track announcers at the French circuits back in the day ...

Of course. Because "mardi" (Tuesday) would make life difficult for commentators!

I was thinking about another French (and Italian and Spanish aswell) word which contains those very three consonants...

[dr-baker]

Well, BCE's own team used to be called MRD which was always tough for track announcers at the French circuits back in the day ...

Of course. Because "mardi" (Tuesday) would make life difficult for commentators!

I was thinking about another French (and Italian and Spanish aswell) word which contains those very three consonants...

I have lived in Avignon (south of France) for an academic year just over a decade ago. I must have failed to have learnt that word!

Even the use of smilies seems to fail to convey the intended tone of the comment adequately...

[razta]

Driver announcement will be either on Thursday or Friday.. and yes.. its the Half-Mauritian half-German guy..