Feature

The defining moments of Manor in Formula 1

Manor Racing finally reached the end of its rocky road to ruination this week, with the announcement of the British outfit's collapse.

Its finances in tatters, its foundation fractured by hardship and potential liabilities, and with no investor on the horizon - and justifiably so given Formula 1's untenable business model for little league teams - Manor has fallen.

F1i looks back at the minnow outfit's defining moments during its time at the pinnacle of motorsport.

 

It all started in 2010 with Virgin Racing, a team actually operated by John Booth's Manor Motorsport although the naming rights had been sold to Richard Branson.  The team's first car, the Virgin VR-01, was the first in Formula 1 to be developed using only computational fluid dynamics [CFD], a technology exploited by Wirth Research. The car was driven by Timo Glock and Lucas di Grassi.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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