F1: Manor finalizing deal for new headquarters

The Manor Formula 1 team is close to finalizing a deal for a permanent factory as it looks to streamline its operation.

The ex-Marussia outfit secured a last-minute rescue deal to race on as Manor this season, but requires a new base after the Haas F1 Team bought its factory. In the interim, Manor has split its operation between its former factory in Dinnington, UK and a base in Silverstone.

"It should be getting closer," said sporting director Graeme Lowdon. "It is narrowed down to a smaller number of places.

"We have a couple of commercial guys working on that pretty much full time. That would be a nice milestone but we obviously want to get the right place."

However, Lowdon said there is no "desperate rush" to get something sorted.

"There is nothing imminent on that – these things normally take a while to get sorted," he added. "If there was a desperate rush we would be capable of going a little bit quicker but it's a question of getting the right infrastructure in place while we can. So it makes sense to get other things in place at this stage."

STEVENS: MONACO POINT NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION

Will Stevens, meanwhile, feels Manor could grab an unlikely point in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, as the team did last year with Jules Bianchi's ninth place - if the race is another topsy-turvy affair.

"Last year was a massive race for the team, and I'm sure there will be some argy-bargy in the middle of the field," Stevens told AUTOSPORT. "If so, we'll have to try and pick up the pieces if there is anything left because if there is any race where we are going to be close then it will be Monaco.

"With mixed conditions, safety cars and bits and pieces there is always the chance for the race to be spiced up a little bit. If we do a good job as a team, we get the maximum from the car and there are a few incidents here and there then I'm certain we'll at least finish higher than we have so far this year."

Originally on Autosport.com