Manor perks-up back-room staff

LONDON, England - Tail-ender team Manor Marussia has enlisted the services of former Mercedes technical director Bob Bell and hired senior engineers from rival teams Toro Rosso and now-defunct Caterham.

The UK-based team said in a statement that Bell, who also served as team principal for Renault F1 in a long career in the sport that includes a stint with McLaren, will assisting for the 2015 season.

LONG TERMS AMBITIONS

The statement added: "Bob will be as a technical consultant, applying his considerable experience to supporting and advising Manor's senior management as the team is rebuilt. He will also formulate an ambitious long-term plan."

Luca Furbatto, a former Toro Rosso chief designer, has joined in a similar role; Gianluca Pisanello has been hired as chief engineer from now disbanded Caterham.

Read: F1 can learn from MotoGP - Arrivabene

Bell resigned as Mercedes' technical director in December 2013 but formally left the team in 2014.

Ferrari-powered Marussia ended the 2014 season ninth overall after scoring its first points, but went into administration and missed the last three races before returning under new ownership.

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