Losing P10 does not jeopardise Manor deal

Manor owner Stephen Fitzpatrick says losing tenth place in the constructors’ championship does not jeopardise a future investment deal in the team.

At the end of November, Fitzpatrick confirmed he has had agreed terms with an investor to bring fresh funding to Manor, with American businessman Tavo Hellmund linked with a takeover. Hellmund declared his interest in purchasing the team in 2015 and is understood to be one of the investors Fitzpatrick has been talking to.

With Fitzpatrick saying talks were ongoing for over six months, Manor’s constructors’ championship position changed in that time as it lost tenth place to Sauber at the penultimate race of the season. However, the team’s owner insists any deal was negotiated with that scenario in mind.

“It doesn’t help financially but the terms of our agreement have been… refinalised, let’s say,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was clear that in tenth place with one point on the board, two races left, that there are lots of scenarios and you plan for those in advance, so, from my point of view it’s disappointing but it’s not unexpected – or at least not a surprise.”

Fitzpatrick added the loss of tenth place was “not a deal-breaker”, although a final announcement regarding the fresh investment has yet to be made.

Manor currently has two seats available for 2017, with Esteban Ocon having joined Force India and Pascal Wehrlein in talks with Sauber before being linked to the vacancy at Mercedes following Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement.

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