Pascal Wehrlein enabled Sahara Force India to be in Barcelona
Sahara Force India could only be present at the Barcelona tests thanks to the contribution made by Mercedes to allow Pascal Wehrlein, their third driver, to gain experience in F1.
The Silverstone team, Force India, had missed the first tests in Jerez, just as Lotus had done last year. However, there were also strong risks that it would also miss the Barcelona tests.
Finally, she managed to be present. During the first session, she only had her 2014 single-seater before her new single-seater (finally) hit the track during the last session.
This presence was made possible by the financial contribution provided by Mercedes, the team’s engine supplier, to allow Sahara Force India to field the young DTM driver. This assistance can either take the form of a direct payment or a reduction in the bill related to the supply of their engine.
Bob Fernley, the deputy director of the team, acknowledged this to Autosport: « Mercedes wanted him to spend some time in the car, and it suited us since we could run the car. It was a pleasure for us. It was obviously interesting from a financial standpoint, but it also allowed us to get Nico and Sergio back into the rhythm before the third tests. It was a win-win. »
This clearly shows the difficulties of a team that nevertheless joined the F1 Strategy Group, by virtue of its sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2014. Bob Fernley recently acknowledged that his team was facing cash flow problems, particularly because suppliers who were affected by the Caterham and Marussia bankruptcies were now demanding to be paid before delivering new parts.
This also explains why Bernie Ecclestone agreed to make an advance payment of the bonuses owed to the three smallest teams, Sahara Force India, Lotus, and Sauber. Bob Fernley stated to Reuters: « Bernie Ecclestone suggested we take an advance to make things easier. This is going to help us enormously. »
The payment, which must be made by the end of the week to ensure their presence in Melbourne, is expected to reach ten million dollars. The chief financial officer of F1 has thus estimated that it was the best way to ensure these teams do not also decide to use their three-race exemption joker, leaving the grid looking quite empty for the start of the season…
With the participation of www.Racingbusiness.fr
