The team's origins trace back to the Marussia F1 Team, which entered administration in late October 2014 due to severe financial difficulties. In December 2014, Gene Haas acquired the Banbury factory and the model for the Manor MNR1. By February 2015, the insolvency administrator had paid the Fédération internationale de l'automobile the Formula 1 World Championship entry fees, and receivership proceedings were terminated on February 19. The team resumed operations as Manor F1 Team, adapting the 2014 Marussia MR03 to the new technical regulations. Stephen Fitzpatrick, a British businessman and founder of Ovo Energy, purchased Manor. Fitzpatrick invested over €40 million personally and negotiated with Manor's creditors to spread the debts.
For its initial season, Manor Racing utilized a Marussia MR03B powered by a 2014 Ferrari V6 engine. The team was present for the season opener but withdrew from the race due to technical issues during preparation. Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi competed at the rear of the grid. In 2016, Manor introduced the MRT05, equipped with a Mercedes-Benz V6 engine. Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto were the drivers, with Esteban Ocon replacing Haryanto mid-season. They contended with Sauber and occasionally Renault F1 Team at the back of the field. Wehrlein secured a tenth-place finish, earning the team provisional tenth in the Constructors' World Championship.
However, at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Sauber regained tenth place, potentially costing Manor approximately 12 million euros in Formula One Management revenue. This financial blow, coupled with the team's already precarious situation, led to speculation about its solvency. Despite these challenges, Manor's sporting director, Dave Ryan, maintained that the loss of FOM revenue would not lead to bankruptcy. Ultimately, Manor Racing finished eleventh in the constructors' championship.
By November 25, 2016, Stephen Fitzpatrick announced ongoing negotiations with potential investors. In December, Tavo Hellmund expressed interest in acquiring Manor, and rumors circulated about a potential takeover by Jagonya Ayam, a subsidiary of KFC. Shortly before Christmas 2016, reports emerged that Ron Dennis had been approached regarding a team purchase with Chinese investors, and a consortium led by former Marussia boss Graeme Lowdon was also interested. Manor's managing director, John McQuilliam, resigned on December 30 in anticipation of new management.
On January 6, 2017, Fitzpatrick placed Just Racing Services Ltd, the company operating Manor, into compulsory administration. He cited the loss of tenth place in the 2016 Constructors' World Championship and the subsequent reduction in Formula One Management revenue as factors casting doubt on the team's ability to complete the 2017 season. Negotiations continued with Tavo Hellmund, Ricardo Gelael, and an Italian investor consortium. A takeover offer was made, requiring a response by January 20 to allow for the timely construction of the MRT07 and participation in winter testing. Tavo Hellmund's most serious offer was reportedly rejected twice by Fitzpatrick. Ultimately, negotiations with potential investors failed, and on January 27, FRP Advisory announced the closure of Manor Racing and the dismissal of 150 employees.
On January 27, 2017, Joao Correia, an aerodynamicist for the team, shared photographs of a 60% scale wind tunnel model of the MRT07 and confirmed the existence of two chassis. The Manor MRT07, designed by John McQuilliam, Luca Furbatto, Nikolas Tombazis, and Tim Milne, was an evolution of the Manor MRT05. Development began in spring 2016, with final wind tunnel tests conducted in December 2016.
The MRT07 was designed to comply with the 2017 technical regulations, which mandated a 25% increase in aerodynamic downforce and a minimum car mass of 728 kilograms. The chassis featured a carbon-fiber monocoque designed to accommodate a Mercedes-AMG F1 M08 EQ Power+ turbocharged V6 engine. Cooling was managed by a liquid-air cooler positioned between the fuel tank and the engine, a design element inspired by Mercedes Grand Prix's approach since 2014. The air intakes on the pontoons were narrower but wider than those on the MRT05, angled rearward to reduce cooling air requirements. The asymmetrical rear of the chassis incorporated openings for engine cooling, and the airbox above the cockpit resembled that of the MRT05. Electronic components previously housed in the MRT05's pontoons were integrated into the chassis to enhance side aerodynamics. Notably, the Manor MRT07 featured in-house designed front and rear suspensions, a departure from the team's previous practice of subcontracting this work to Williams Grand Prix Engineering.
The Manor MRT07 featured a conventional design, but the team intended to implement numerous new aerodynamic components. Six distinct nose designs were developed, with the favored option being a shortened version, similar to the Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid, designed to enhance the Venturi effect beneath the muzzle. This nose design drew inspiration from the 2016 Haas VF-16. The front spoiler underwent significant revision from the MRT05, incorporating three corrugated upper fins to manage airflow around the front tires and mitigate aerodynamic turbulence generated by tire rotation. These fins were intended to create a Y250 vortex, directing airflow towards the car's center and rear, a concept previously seen on the 2014 Williams FW36 and Caterham CT05. This vortex was further amplified by inverted L-shaped duck planes, reminiscent of the 2013 Mercedes AMG F1 W04. A curved fin on the side of the front spoiler included a flow reverser to guide airflow around the tires, reducing drag.
Underneath the car's pontoons, side deflectors featured three notches, similar to those on the 2016 Williams FW38, aimed at reducing air resistance and directing airflow towards the rear. These deflectors also allowed for adjustment of radiator and cooler orientation to optimize airflow efficiency. The pontoons themselves were wider at the front and tapered towards the rear air outlets, exposing the flat bottom. The flat bottom incorporated two L-shaped slots ahead of the rear tires to channel airflow towards the diffuser. At the rear, a shark fin directed air towards the rear wing, increasing downforce and rear-end stability in high-speed corners. Small fins near the rear brakes generated vortices to reduce turbulence from the rear tires. The rear spoiler, lower and more inclined than the MRT05's as per regulations, featured slots to draw airflow inward and was supported by twin pylons for stability. The rear wing included four side louvers, angled at 25 degrees like those on the 2016 Toro Rosso STR11, to manage wingtip vortices and improve airflow to the DRS flap. The DRS actuator was also reduced in size compared to the MRT05 to minimize airflow disturbance.
In February 2017, Ricardo Gelael, head of Team Jagonya Ayam, withdrew his takeover offer, citing a lack of awareness regarding the full extent of the team's debts. He indicated continued interest if the sale price were reduced due to the cessation of operations. In such a scenario, Manor had planned to re-enter Formula 1 from the Spanish Grand Prix, initially using a modified 2016 Manor MRT05 chassis. By March 1, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile published the final entry list for the 2017 championship, which did not include Manor Racing, marking the team's definitive withdrawal.
In early May, Luca Furbatto, the lead designer of the Manor MRT07, revealed that Stephen Fitzpatrick had ordered parts production to cease at the end of November 2016. This decision was reportedly unpopular with potential investors, as it diminished the prospect of fielding the MRT07 from the season's opening round in Australia. Furbatto confirmed that upon entering compulsory administration, Manor's intention was to use an MRT05 adapted to the new technical regulations for the first three Grands Prix, with approximately 90% of the MRT07's parts already manufactured. He believed the MRT07 had the potential to compete in the midfield and score points.
Mid-May 2017 saw Manor's assets auctioned by Gordon Brothers over four days to settle outstanding debts. Approximately 4,000 items were offered, including four Marussia MR03B and Manor MRT05 chassis, along with the wind tunnel scale model of the Manor MRT07. This auction aimed to recover over €3.5 million owed to more than fifty creditors, many of whom were small suppliers previously affected by the bankruptcies of Marussia F1 Team and Caterham F1 Team. The estimated value of the auctioned assets was 2.9 million euros. The FIA returned $522,322 in entry fees paid by Manor for the 2017 championship to assist the team in clearing its debts.
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