Manor Team to hit the track in January

The Manor Grand Prix team hopes to see its first Formula 1 car on-track by the end of January, according to Team Principal John Booth. The Sheffield-based outfit, with Germany's Timo Glock already signed up, will not be present at Jerez's young driver test next week as its car is still being finalized.

Although others may be able to hit the track before them, Booth is positive that all is running according to plan at Manor. "I think we're a little bit in front of where we hoped to be," he explained to reporters at the weekend's Macau Formula 3 event.

"The start-up is scheduled for January 24 (Sunday) and the shakedown for January 29 (Friday); that side is the calmest area of all, which is incredible. Nick (Wirth, Chief Designer) and the guys have done an incredible job."

Booth, who ran 2008 Champion Lewis Hamilton in his pre-F1 days, also shares much enthusiasm about his first 2010 signing. "The wonderful thing about Timo was that he came over to meet everybody," John added before praising the former Toyota driver for the lack of complications when negotiating a contract. "He just bought into the concept straight away and made his decision almost immediately.

"He liked what he saw and wanted to be part of it; somebody of his experience and quality, wanting to be part of it, not just an employee, is great – he wanted to build a team around him, as he put it, and it's a fantastic boost for Timo to believe in us like he does." GPUpdate.net