Horner says Manor ’deserves’ F1 return

Christian Horner on Saturday insisted he would welcome the former Marussia team back to F1.

Earlier, despite vocally championing the rights of struggling teams, Force India in fact blocked the reborn ’Manor’ team’s quest to bounce back in 2015 by using its car of last season.

But Williams made clear it supports Manor’s plight, and now Red Bull chief Horner said the backmarkers "deserve" their place in formula one as they exit administration.

"I drove for John Booth in 1992," Horner, a former racing driver in the junior categories, told Britain’s Sky.

"He’s a racer and a fighter. I’m sure he and the guys are fighting hard to be on the grid. They deserve to be there.

"It’s great that Ferrari has agreed to supply engines and it seems like they have some sensible people behind the team now with a bit of money to get it going.

"I’ve spoken to the guys," Horner added. "There’s not a lot we can do for them. We don’t supply them any parts.

"But it would be good for formula one to have a blend of teams and to have 20 cars on the grid."