Williams have confirmed that they would have had no qualms about Marussia returning to Formula One next season using their 2014 car.Williams are one of six teams who make up F1’s Strategy Group which recently rejected Marussia’s attempt to get back on to the grid in the new campaign with a year-old car.
However the Gove outfit have now revealed that they were in support of Marussia, while Force India’s decision to reject the bid meant the team failed to get a unanimous vote required.
Marussia are now set to lodge an appeal and Williams’ Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams insists that they want a full complement of teams competing from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, she said: “We’ve been very clear on our position around Marussia and their entry: we want a full competitive line-up on the grid next year and we will do anything to support Marussia coming back in.
“We made it very clear in the Strategy Group that we would vote for them to be able to use the 2014 chassis this season. Unfortunately it hasn’t happened, but Williams want a competitive line-up on the grid and we want to help the smaller teams.
“And I think we’ve demonstrated that and are always pushing cost control in Formula 1. That’s to save the smaller teams that are really struggling, the likes of Marussia and Caterham, but also the middle teams as well at the moment that are facing some serious issues.”