Manor's fate was sealed in Brazil - Fitzpatrick

In another case of demonstrating just how unfair Formula 1's business model system is towards the smaller teams, Manor's Stephen Fitzpatrick says that his outfit's demise was practically sealed in Brazil last November.

The announcement this morning of the Banbury-based squad being put into administration after failing to secure an influx of fresh capital is pretty much the nail in the coffin for Manor.

Stephen Fitzpatrick however says the team's future was put into jeopardy the moment its lost 10th place in the Constructors' standings to Sauber when Felipe Nasr finished ninth in Brazil.

"When I took over the team in 2015, the challenge was clear; it was imperative that the team finish in 10th place or better in 2016," Fitzpatrick explained.

"For much of the season we were on track. But the dramatic race in Brazil ended our hopes of this result and ultimately brought into doubt the team's ability to race in 2017."

• ‘Very limited window’ to save Manor as it enters administration

Fitzpatrick admitted that time was no longer on Manor's side, a state of affairs which offers a very bleak prospect.

"Today's decision to put the team into administration represents a disappointing end to a two year journey for Manor," he said.

"Over much of the last year we have been in discussions with several investor groups, and had finally agreed terms of a sale to an Asian investment consortium in December.

"This would have provided the team with a strong  platform for continued growth and development. Unfortunately time ran out before they could complete the transaction.

"Not wishing to repeat events of the past, we resolved in 2015 not to start any season that we did not know for certain we could complete, so we have taken the difficult decision to put the team's operating company into administration."

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