Manor boss positive about F1's future

Although the decisions by Toyota and BMW to leave F1 this year prompted fears about the state of grand prix racing, Manor Grand Prix chief Booth says he is far from concerned about what state the sport is in.

"I think that for the long term health of F1 there had to be change," he said at the Macau Grand Prix, where he is taking part in his last race prior to next year's Bahrain season opener. "The budgets that the manufacturers were spending were unsustainable - and were obscene, if I can use that word.

"Funnily enough, I was watching on the plane over here a documentary on Stirling Moss, and it was fascinating how you had the independent teams back then. Someone would buy a car from a manufacturer and run it themselves, and it was great. It will never be the same again, but it is heading that way again."

He added: "It was only six months ago that FOTA was almost a manufacturers' club, but now it is going to be in control of independents. And now you have to call McLaren an independent as well."

Booth believes that there is enough impetus from the teams, and newly elected FIA president Jean Todt, to bring down costs that will make the sport sustainable for non-manufacturer teams.

"I think some things that Jean Todt has said, it sounds like he wants to encourage cost restriction," he explained. "With the majority of teams now being independents, we have every chance of pushing that to the targets that have been set for 2012."

Booth has said Manor GP is ahead of target with its preparations for next year, and it is expected to confirm its commercial tie-up with Virgin within the next fortnight.

"I think we are all a little bit in front of where we hoped to be," said Booth. "The start-up [of the car] is scheduled for January 24. The shakedown is on January 29. That side is the calmest area of all, which is incredible. Nick and the guys at Wirth have done an incredible job."

On the driver front, Booth says the arrival of Timo Glock has been a big boost because of the valuable F1 experience he has.

"The wonderful thing about Timo was that he came over to meet everybody and it was not hours and hours of negotiation and selling to him what we could do," he said. "He just bought into the concept straightaway - and made his decision almost immediately.

"We had to finalise contracts and things, but he liked what he saw and wanted to be part of it. So 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 is as he put it. It is a fantastic boost for Timo to believe in us like he does.

"It is massive for us. Massive. Throughout the seat fitting, which we are doing at the moment, his knowledge even now is helping us plan for the first test."

Lucas di Grassi is expected to get the second seat at the team, with a decision expected within the next fortnight. Booth admitted that the Brazilian would be a good addition.

"Lucas would be great for a number of reasons," he explained. "He is an ex-Manor driver anyway. He won here in Macau for us. It would be great for us to have Lucas, and he has F1 testing experience as well in F1. Somebody like Lucas would be perfect."

And Booth admits that the team is keeping its ambitions in check for next year - with it well aware of how tough it will be to challenge more established outfits.

"Our target, as all the new teams are saying, is to be the best of the new teams," he said. "That is what we are aiming for. But my ambition is to go out there, perform professionally, and earn the respect of our peers - as you are not given respect, you have to earn it.

"We want to conduct ourselves in the correct way. If we get to the end of next year having performed professionally and done a good job then I will be happy."

When asked if he felt there would be two tiers in F1 next year - with the new teams behind the more established outfits, he said: "I think realistically the gap won't close for three years.

"That is our time frame to start to become competitive. There are some very bright guys in F1, the Adrian Neweys and the Ross Brawns - and you think what they have achieved. They are the benchmark that you have to aspire to. If you think you are going to come in and be competitive in one season, you are kidding yourself."