Williams Support Marussia/Manor Return

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Williams have revealed they supported Marussia/Manor making a return to the grid in 2015.

Earlier in February, BBC Sport reported the Strategy Group had voted against allowing the minnows to race with a 2014 car in the season ahead.

But Williams, who have a permanent seat on the group, were in favour of the proposal. Deputy team principal Claire Williams told Sky Sports:

We’ve been very clear on our position around Marussia and their entry: we want a full competitive line-up on the grid next year and we will do anything to support Marussia coming back in.

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. Unfortunately it hasn’t happened, but Williams want a competitive line-up on the grid and we want to help the smaller teams.

And I think we’ve demonstrated that and are always pushing cost control in Formula One. That’s to save the smaller teams that are really struggling, the likes of Marussia and Caterham, but also the middle teams as well at the moment that are facing some serious issues.

Marussia went into administration in October. In January, Sky reported they had run up debts of £60 million trying to stay afloat. The technological progression of the sport and huge sums spent by larger teams has seen costs soar.

Williams went on to reveal their own team needs to generate £60 million per year in sponsorship in order to keep racing with their own relatively modest budget.

Marussia's was lower, but their commercial magnetism was lower too. Williams have a rich history and a strong brand to attract potential backers—Marussia (or Manor, as they will be known if they return) do not.

Crash.net reports the team are still working on a return. Hopefully they'll find the funds to make it.