Claire Williams has revealed that her team is supportive of Manor's return to the grid, even with a 2014 car.

As the furore over the Strategy Group’s decision to block the British outfit taking to the grid in a 2014 car, despite having agreed such a move last year, Williams team boss Claire Williams has revealed that her outfit sides with the minnows.

"We've been very clear on our position around Marussia and their entry," she told Sky Sports, "we want a full competitive line-up on the grid, and we will do anything to support Marussia coming back in."

Thus far, of the six F1 teams on the Strategy Group - Force India replacing Lotus this year after finishing sixth in the Constructors' Championship - only the Silverstone-based outfit has admitted to blocking Marussia's return. Deputy team principal Bob Fernley claiming that the resultant negative attitude towards he and his team being because it was first to vote - under a system that requires unanimity.

"We made it very clear in the Strategy Group that we would vote for them to be able to use the 2014 chassis this season," said Williams. "Unfortunately it hasn't happened but Williams want a competitive line-up on the grid and we want to help the smaller teams."

Williams, which started life as a private entrant before graduating to building its own cars, thereby becoming one of the Garagistes as Enzo Ferrari famously described them, has not forgotten its roots. Indeed, in recent years it has undergone its own struggle to survive.

"We are what I call a middle team, not a small team," said Williams. "We go racing based on the sponsorship budget that we can generate, coupled with the prize money that we get.

"But it's a hard fight. We've got to generate £60m a year in sponsorship to keep our team racing. To be competitive in F1, I don't believe that you need to spend £200m a year, you've got to work harder and smarter than anyone else if you've got a smaller budget, but it's so hard to generate that income."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Hondawho?, 13/02/2015 19:56

"Just read a Q & A with Pat Symonds.
Just pleased I said what I did before that was published.

Anyway, my colours will be posted to the Williams mast this year that's for sure."

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2. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 12/02/2015 14:00

"Sir Frank, and his daughter are clearly of the same mould, thank God. More power to them both."

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3. Posted by Hondawho?, 12/02/2015 10:19

"1. Posted by Paul C,
"Williams needs it's own Toro Rosso. Why not Marussia?"

That may well happen this year via three car teams if Farce India go, then Fraud Lotus and possibly Sauber.

This season will be interesting for many reasons."

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4. Posted by Paul C, 12/02/2015 5:03

"Williams needs it's own Toro Rosso. Why not Marussia?"

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5. Posted by Ro, 12/02/2015 2:26

"Claire is a chip off the old block. The Williams team is a 100% racing team who care about the image that is F1. If the Russians and Middle East countries want race cars let them have electric cars not F1"

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6. Posted by Hondawho?, 11/02/2015 16:45

"I would really enjoy seeing Willams win races this year and even a championship.

Perhaps with a Williams" as principle and Pat Symonds in charge you could easily see a similar relationship (business) to Frank Williams and Patrick Head...........

They come across as a really professional team and I am sure Snr Symonds has brought a lot to the party. It was a shame about the events at his last team, he was the fall guy so great to see him back and it seems enjoying the challenge!

Leadership, honestly and Professionalism, they are parts of a team a sponsor is looking for these days of course and it seems to be paying off......

Long may it last, a great example of how a team should be run."

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7. Posted by Hondawho?, 11/02/2015 16:01

"This makes sense for more than one reason. (a) The Williams team have been or nearly been in the same position themselves and (b) Williams are a proper racing team, not a car company with a racing division! And above all else Claire is a nice person!"

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Williams supportive of Manor

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