Williams are supportive of Marussia’s attempts to return to the Formula One grid and would have agreed to them starting the season with last year’s car, deputy principal Claire Williams said yesterday.

“We’ve been very clear on our position around Marussia and their entry: we want a full competitive line-up on the grid... and we will do anything to support Marussia coming back in,” she told Sky Sports television.

“We made it very clear in the strategy group that we would vote for them to be able to use the 2014 chassis this season,” she added.

“Unfortunately it hasn’t happened but Williams want a competitive line-up on the grid and we want to help the smaller teams.”

Marussia folded last year, overwhelmed by debts that forced them to miss the last three races of the season.

However, an auction of cars and equipment was cancelled last month after new investors emerged and the British-based team, who finished ninth overall with two points, plan to come out of administration on Monday.

With time running out before the season starts in Australia on March 15, they had sought permission to use their 2014 car until the new one was ready but the Formula One strategy group rejected that last week.

With a unanimous vote required, Force India made clear they would vote against and dismissed Marussia’s application as “speculative” and lacking substance.

Force India, along with Sauber and Lotus, had financial difficulties of their own last year and have yet to test their 2015 car.