The man behind projects to bring Formula 1 back to America and Mexico is turning his sights to team ownership, with a desire to take over the struggling Manor Marussia outfit.
Tavo Hellmund was instrumental in the construction of the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. He was later forced out of the company, leading him to help bring F1 back to Mexico a fortnight ago in an event Niki Lauda hailed “one of the best” he’s ever attended.
We reported last week that Hellmund had shown interest in Manor Marussia, to the extent that he, with the backing of several American investors, approached current owner Stephen Fitzpatrick about buying a majority stake in the outfit.
His offer was however rejected, which is thought to be one of the contributing factors in the resignation of a number of high-level staff including founder John Booth and team boss Graeme Lowdon.
That hasn’t put Hellmund off though, setting a February deadline to have a deal in place.
“I think if we get to late January or February, it may be too late, and my partners and I would probably lose interest,” he told the Austin Statesman.
He cited Manor’s deal to use Mercedes engines next season as a major advantage, but admitted the team would never compete at the front.
“Manor Marussia cut a deal to be able to have Mercedes motors next year, which is a step forward as opposed to a year and one-half old Ferrari spec engine,” he added.
“It would never be our goal to compete with the manufacturer teams. We’re never going to spend $400 million a year like Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren. But we think you can run it respectably and not be in the red. I think you can fight for fifth.”
Meanwhile he suggested NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt Jnr would be offered a seat alongside America’s only current F1 driver, Alexander Rossi, who currently races for the Manor team alongside Will Stevens.
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