Manor name set for single-seater return in Euroformula Open series
The Manor name that carried Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen to their maiden single-seater titles could return to single-seater competition in 2020
Manor Competition is planning to run up to three cars in the Euroformula Open series, which this year will be run for the new halo-fitted Dallara 320, the car which is a continuation of the pre-2019 FIA Formula 3 philosophy.
The team split off from parent squad Manor Motorsport for the 2007 Formula Renault UK season, when Manor chief John Booth decided to focus on more senior categories, which eventually included Formula 1.
After FR UK collapsed in early 2012, Manor Competition husband-and-wife principals Tony and Sarah Shaw collaborated with MP Motorsport in European Formula Renault, and have engineered the Dutch operation's GP2/Formula 2 team in recent seasons.
Autosport has learned that Manor Competition will operate as a UK arm of MP Motorsport out of premises in West Yorkshire, and is planning to use HWA (formerly Mercedes) engines.
Tony Shaw, who worked with Raikkonen (pictured below at Croft) and Hamilton during their respective 2000 and 2003 Formula Renault UK title-winning seasons, told Autosport: "We are working on a couple of options for this season, and we haven't quite been able to confirm yet what paths we're going to go down, but when the green light is given we can press the button on anything."
Manor Motorsport carried Marc Hynes - who is now Hamilton's manager - to the title in its debut season in the British Formula 3 Championship in 1999, and then fielded Antonio Pizzonia to the crown in 2000.
It also gave Hamilton and Paul di Resta their rookie campaigns in the F3 Euro Series, and carried Lucas di Grassi to 2005 Macau Grand Prix honours.
Manor Competition is also reportedly in the frame to take over Fernando Alonso's FA Racing effort in the Formula Renault Eurocup.
The Alonso effort in FRenault was run in 2019 by Spanish team Drivex.
Drivex is a long-time supporter of Euroformula Open, and has named its first driver for the series for 2020 - Dutchman Glenn van Berlo, who was runner-up in the Spanish Formula 4 Championship last season, will drive one of the team's HWA-powered cars.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Top Comments
Line draws up to 16th in Ryan Motorsport Insurance Autosport National Rankings
The season that launched Senna to stardom
Grange is new leader of Ryan Motorsport Insurance Autosport National Rankings
How an idea to help save Manor fuelled F1's latest sponsor revolution
Ex-Manor, Sauber F1 driver Wehrlein approached Haas about 2020 seat
Why Formula 1 needs teams like Manor
Latvala: Toyota needs three full-time WRC drivers in 2025
Bortoleto edging closer to Sauber race deal for 2025
Returning to racing after paralysis: How Cedric Bloch defied the odds
Obituary: March and Arrows F1 co-founder Alan Rees
Why Alpine’s rigorous training camp yields telling insights into its juniors
Why F1's junior logjam isn't entirely a product of current issues
Ranking the top 10 drivers on F1's undercard in 2023
Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
