With the distinct possibility looming that there could have been only 12 cars on the starting grid for the upcoming 2015 season-opening Formula One race in Australia, F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has agreed to advance $10 million to each of the sport’s least-affluent teams – that would be Force India, Lotus and Sauber – as a pre-payment on their prize award money from the race.
Force India had already missed the majority of the pre-season testing while both Lotus and Sauber have had to endure low cash flows through most of last season and into the beginning of this season.
The 2015 Formula One season begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 15, 2015.