Whilst it appeared at the end of last year that the Marussia grand prix team was dead after wide ranging redundancies, it now appears their is a potential new investor that could save the team from extinction. This Wednesday's auction of the majority of the team's equipment such as race cars, transporters and other substantial equipment has been postponed to allow negotiations to take place.
Auctioneers FRP Advisory confirmed they had postponed this week's auction to allow negotiations between the Marussia team and this potential new investor. FRP Advisory stated the arrival of a potential new investor meant the auction had been "halted to allow for discussions to continue with a third party."
FRP Advisory also commented in a statement that "Given the confidential nature of the negotiations under way we are unable to provide further details." Marussia team principal John Booth also told the BBC that talks were "at a fairly advanced stage with a new investor, a credible investor. Postponing the auction gives us a bit more time to explore it."
Whilst it appeared the team was over after mass redundancies in November, after the team entered administration in October. It now appears the team has a last chance of making the 2015 F1 grid, although they would need the auction to be cancelled as they would need their 2014 race cars and equipment to take the grid in Australia in March for the season opener.
Whilst talks are clearly still in the very early stages, this glimmer of hope is a clear shot in the arm for a potential revival of the Marussia team this year. If this potential investor does buy the team he will taken on a $15 million dollar debt to engine supplier Ferrari, alongside debts to around 200 other investors.
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