Manor's plan to become F1's star underdog
When Stephen Fitzpatrick bought what is now called Manor Racing ahead of last season, many thought he was in it to make a quick buck. But he's still around, and the team is on the up
On Sunday evening in Singapore, one man will stand on the grid, his gaze alternating between crowded grandstands and two blue-and-orange cars, thoughts transporting him back to 2014 when he sat on the other side of the fence with his mates. While they concentrated on another Lewis Hamilton procession - after Nico Rosberg retired with wiring issues - Stephen Fitzpatrick was consumed by other thoughts: how to get himself into Formula 1.
It was no idle dream, for the Belfast-born entrepreneur had more than proven his mettle in the City before founding a string of successful ventures. Still, F1 seemed too far away to be tangible. Formula E it would be, the then 36-year-old reflected - particularly as he was in the sustainable-energy business via his OVO Energy start-up.
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