30/10/2015
NEWS STORY
It is understood that team founder John Booth and sporting director Graeme Lowdon have resigned at Manor.
Although neither the team or the individuals concerned are saying anything, it is understood the pair are to leave the team at season end having been pushed to the sidelines by the outfit's new owner, OVO energy boss, Stephen Fitzpatrick.
Ironically, it was around this time last year, following the departure of (then) owner Andrei Cheglakov, that the team appeared doomed, as it and Caterham went into administration. However, whilst Caterham effectively sunk without a trace, after months of work behind the scenes Manor rose, phoenix-like, from the ashes.
Booth founded Manor Motorsport in 1990, the outfit enjoying success in various series including British F3, F3 Euro Series and Formula Renault 2.0, winning titles in the series with the likes of Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton.
The team finally entered F1 in 2010 as Virgin, lured by the planned budget restrictions that would go some way to levelling the playing field. Whilst its fellow 'newbies' fell by the way, following the buy-out by Fitzpatrick the team appeared to be on the up, securing Mercedes engines for 2016.
Along with its much publicised financial problems, the team has suffered more than its fair share of tragedy, Maria de Villota involved in a career-ending accident during testing in 2012 and the death, earlier this year, of Jules Bianchi following his horrific crash during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.
Former Sainsbury’s boss Justin King is involved in the team, and it is known his son, 2013 British F3 champion, Jordan King, is looking to move up to F1.
Whilst those concerned are keeping schtum, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted his sadness at the situation, not least because his agreement to supply engines to the team was based on his relationship with Booth.
"I've known John forever, since the Formula Renault days of Lewis and Formula 3 days," said the Austrian. "Manor means John Booth and John Booth means Manor and Graeme has made sure… was very instrumental in keeping the team alive last year, so seeing them go, from a personal standpoint and from the racing spirit, is obviously a blow.
"Going forward, we have signed the deal with Manor and I would say we need to give credit to everybody in the team who stays in the team but we are curious spectators from now on."
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