Wurz and Whitmarsh Rule Out Manor Team Principal Role

Manor’s search for a new team principal will continue after both Alex Wurz and Martin Whitmarsh publicly declined the role, following the exit of John Booth at the end of the 2015 Formula One season. The team, which had already appointed Dave Ryan to replace Graeme Lowdon, had been linked with Wurz and Whitmarsh as potential successors for the top job.

Wurz, who was considered the leading candidate, clarified his position ahead of his final race as a professional driver in the World Endurance Championship in Bahrain. He said he had informed Manor’s owner, Stephen Fitzpatrick, that he would not be available for the team principal position after considering the offer. Wurz’s decision comes as he retires from competitive racing, closing a chapter on his driving career rather than moving directly into an F1 team management role.

Martin Whitmarsh, former McLaren team principal and now working in America’s Cup sailing, also confirmed he had been approached by Manor but had no intention of returning to Formula One in a team principal capacity. Whitmarsh stated that he would “definitely say no” if asked directly by Fitzpatrick to take the role, despite his previous collaboration with Dave Ryan during their time at McLaren.