Attempts to save the Manor Formula 1 team have been "boosted by a decision to keep all staff employed until at least the end of January," according to Andrew Benson of the BBC. The team's operating company, Just Racing, went into administration on Jan. 6 and Manor will "collapse" if a buyer is not found. Administrator FRP Advisory has "found the money" to pay staff for January. It means it has "a week more than expected to find a buyer before having to consider whether to lay off staff." About 100 employees are still working at Manor's base in Banbury, preparing a car for the '17 season. FRP, which was unavailable for comment, is in talks with "a number of potential investors but is still at the stage of doing due diligence into their financial worthiness and the sustainability of their plans." Administrators have a statutory 14 days from the date they are appointed before they "become liable themselves for paying salaries and other expenses" -- which would have meant Jan. 20 was the cut-off "had the extra cash not been found within the team's accounts." Manor has been granted permission by F1's governing body, FIA, to use its '16 chassis, "with minor modifications," as the basis for the car that is raced at the beginning of the season, should it find a buyer. Even if a buyer is not found by the end of January, "it does not necessarily mean the team will immediately collapse." Staff "might begin to be laid off if the team is not sold by then but, in theory, Manor can miss up to the first three races of the season before losing their rights to race in F1." The fourth race is the Russian Grand Prix held April 28-30 (BBC, 1/13).
