- Marussia
Still a 'slim hope' for Marussia - Booth
Marussia team principal John Booth insists there is still a "slim hope" of the team making the 2015 grid despite it reportedly owing over £30m to creditors.
The team entered administration last year and in December had many of its assets auctioned off, but in an interview with The Yorkshire Post Booth said there is still a chance it could compete this year.
"There's still a slim hope, but it's getting extremely late," he said. "We've got two weeks to complete something by. So there's still a chance.
"We are talking to investors and they are positive talks. What we are finding is there are a lot of people making positive noises about it but it's actually getting across the line and taking it on that's the big question.
"There's a hell of a lot of hard-working, good people in this team and we are trying to keep as many staff as possible in work."
If it can find a buyer, Booth said the team would still be entitled to its prize fund for finishing ninth in the championship last year, although the money will not come as one lump sum.
"The ironic thing is we won't be able to get that £40m in prize money if the dream does die. But that is the attractive element for potential investors. We managed nearly five years without that money."
A recent report in The Daily Telegraph revealed the size of the bills a buyer would have to take on. According to the report, the team owes £31.4m to its creditors, including £16.6m to Ferrari for its engine supply deal and £7.1m to McLaren for use of its wind tunnel and simulator.
Meanwhile, Caterham is also still in the hunt for a buyer, with administrators Smith and Williamson searching for investors ahead of the first pre-season test on February 1.
"Talks with interested parties continue, but if a buyer is not found before the test, we will not put up the money to go," joint administrator Henry Shinners told the BBC. "I wouldn't rule anything out but if we reach the first race in the same position, the chances of saving the team are virtually nil."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
