On January 23rd Liberty Media completed their purchase of Formula One. They immediately announced that they would "work with all of [their] partners to enhance the racing experience and add new dimensions to the sport". One would assume from this declaration that they would want all of their partners to be healthy and stable. This includes the teams.
Prior to Liberty Media's purchase completion, on January 9th, one of those teams, Manor Racing MRT, announced they had entered bankruptcy administration on January 6th. Then, on January 27th, four days after Liberty Media's purchase, it was announced that the Manor team would fold, and would not be able to participate in the 2017 Formula One season. It is unclear what efforts, if any, Liberty Media took to assist Manor in being able to make it to the grid. The formula1.com website has no mention in its news reports of any of the Manor saga, almost suggesting they took the stance of 'problems ignored resolve themselves'.
I claim Liberty Media should have done what they could to help Manor survive, whether it be assisting in finding sponsorship and partners, or interest-free loans and other financial assistance.
Why?
Well, simply, the more cars and teams on the track the more action and excitement for the fans. Yes, even if it a backmarker that struggles to finish in the points. Someone needs to finish last. Do you remember 1989 when there were twenty teams? I do. It was an exciting time.
Secondly, losing a team loses a couple of spots where young drivers, like Manor's 2016 driver Pascal Wehrlein, can learn about Formula One and develop in it. Rookies need stepping stones.
Some may say that the Manor spot can be taken by another, new team that may have more success, but that is generally wishful thinking. Despite the Haas team's somewhat successful, and by that we should say competent, debut in 2016, it is extremely difficult for new teams to flourish in Formula One. Keeping Manor would be keeping a team already with experience, with lessons learned, and an existing infrastructure to grow and build on. A new team would be starting at square one; Manor is already part way down the road.
Liberty Media should still today reach out and help Manor make the grid in 2017. But, I hear you say, it's too late!
Who cares? Let them miss a few races if needed. Give them time. A team starting half way through 2017 can build and learn for a better 2018 and beyond. Any race a young driver gets under his belt helps him grow, learn and develop. Let's get them on the grid in 2017.
Without teams, without tracks, and without fans--the partners mentioned above--Formula One cannot survive. Liberty Media should be doing everything it can to keep, rather than lose, those partners.
