Leimer in frame for second Manor seat (3rd Update)

Fabio Leimer – his check just wasn't big enough

UPDATE #3 (GMM) Fabio Leimer will not make his Friday practice debut in Austria this weekend.

In Canada two weeks ago, the 2013 GP2 champion was unveiled as the new Friday and reserve driver for backmarker Manor.

It has been reported the Swiss driver's first Friday outing could be at the Red Bull Ring, but only if his manager Sven Mangold manages to put together the necessary sponsorship purse.

"Everything depends on the sponsors," Mangold had admitted to the Swiss newspaper Blick in Canada.

Now, the newspaper's veteran correspondent Roger Benoit reveals that Leimer, 26, is today digesting the news that he will in fact not be driving in Friday practice.

Benoit said: "There is no charity in formula one. What counts here is money, especially when it comes to the struggling small teams."

He added that a practice bow at Silverstone is also unlikely, even though Leimer will be in Austria this weekend for a medical check as his application for a super license moves forward.

"The big question," said Benoit, "is whether Leimer is being used only as leverage against regulars (Roberto) Merhi and (Will) Stevens, in order to raise money?"

The Blick report claims Manor will not even attend the post-Austrian grand prix test at the Red Bull Ring, with Leimer's management confirming: "For that, the team needs money."

06/15/15 (GMM) Fabio Leimer is heading to Austria this week hoping to fire up his Manor chances.

The Swiss driver and 2013 GP2 champion was trackside in Canada with the backmarker team recently, in his new role as official reserve.

And Blick, the Swiss newspaper whose F1 correspondent is the paddock veteran Roger Benoit, said 26-year-old Leimer's Friday driving duties could begin this weekend in Austria.

Between Canada and Austria, his manager Sven Mangold has been frantically searching for sponsors to fund Leimer's new F1 foray.

"Actually, I cannot say anything yet, as everything depends on the sponsors," Mangold had said in Canada.

Also important is that Leimer secures the mandatory FIA super license. "Once we have the all clear, the procedure takes a maximum of ten days," he said.

Blick said that Leimer will undergo a medical check by F1's governing body on Thursday, as his application for a super license reaches the "final stages".

Manor is yet to officially confirm that Leimer will be in action at the Red Bull Ring on Friday morning.

"I don't know when he will be in for his first FP1," said team president Graeme Lowdon. "That will be down to (team boss) John (Booth) as it's a driver call."

For his part, however, Leimer's ambition is clear.

"My goal is very clear," he told Speed Week. "I want to move up from the Friday and reserve role to become the regular driver.

"I signed this contract with the assurance that I will take place in several Friday practices with the prospect of becoming the regular driver," Leimer added.

"From Austria the opportunity should be there to drive in FP1 but at least in the test afterwards. And then I want it to be clear that 'Fabio Leimer can do more'."

03/08/15 (GMM) Fabio Leimer's chances of securing the last seat on the 2015 grid have shrunk.

Earlier, it was reported that the 2013 GP2 champion had escaped his new contract with the Mugen team in Japan's premier open wheeler series Super Formula.

Some thought that indicated the 25-year-old Swiss, whose earlier career was backed by the wealthy Rainer Gantenbein, would shortly be unveiled as the second driver at resurrected Manor for this season.

But Mugen has clarified that Leimer was in fact released from his deal because he was "unable to fulfil the contract terms".

Leimer has admitted it was a financial issue.

"Of course I am extremely disappointed," he said. "We went for the Japan adventure after we had found a representative in Japan.

"We signaled from the beginning that any budget had to be secured by him. Unfortunately, his promises and the trust placed in him were not tenable.

"However, we are already working on solutions for the coming season, which we can finance ourselves," Leimer added.

03/07/15 (GMM) 2013 GP2 champion Fabio Leimer has leapt into contention to complete this year's formula one grid.

After conquering F1's main feeder series, the 25-year-old Swiss was disappointed that, even with a strong sponsor in tow, he was not able to secure his grand prix debut last year.

"The formula one system is sick," Leimer's wealthy backer Rainer Gantenbein said at the time.

But his manager Stefan Meier, however, insisted: "If it does not work out for this season (2014), we will plan for 2015."

As reigning GP2 champion, Leimer found refuge last year in world endurance sports cars.

And, some weeks ago, just as the former Marussia team was bidding to return as Manor in 2015, Leimer was linked with a seat.

But the Swiss newspaper Blick observed: "Fabio Leimer will instead race this year in Japan in the top Super Formula series."

However, it suddenly emerged on Friday that Leimer's deal with the Mugen team ended before a single wheel was turned, for contractual reasons.

Manor has already signed Will Stevens for 2015, and team president Graeme Lowdon now hints he is close to signing another rookie as well.

"Manor has always had a history of bringing great driving talent onto the grid and we really want to continue that," he said.

"With regard to the second driver, hopefully we will be able to make an announcement pretty soon, which is kind of blindingly obvious considering that the (Australian) grand prix is not far off.

"All the time schedules have been incredibly compressed for us and the driver announcement is no different," Lowdon added.