Manor debutant Rio Haryanto accepted the blame for a spin which disrupted his running during the third day of testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Haryanto, piloting the Manor MRT05 for the first time, spun on the approach to Turn 5, leaving his car stranded in the gravel trap. Haryanto was able to return to the circuit and he rounded out the runners, having completed 78 laps, and said the experience felt different to his days racing in GP2. "I made a small mistake and […]

Pascal Wehrlein hailed a "really good" first day with his new Manor team as he gave the MRT05 its track debut at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Wehrlein completed the first laps in Manor's new car and ended the day ninth quickest, having racked up 54 laps. "A really good first day with the car and for me, so I’m very happy," said Wehrlein. "I have a great car that’s as good to drive as it is to look at and already we’ve started to make […]

Manor Racing has launched its Mercedes-powered MRT05 as it bids to move away from the back of the pack, following its revival in 2015. Manor, formerly Marussia, returned to action in 2015 but with a 2014-specification Ferrari power unit and modified MR03, remained glued to the back of the pack, significantly adrift of the midfield. However, the team has developed a new car for the upcoming campaign, which will be fitted with current-year Mercedes power units, and has also developed a technical partnership with Williams. […]

Alexander Rossi says he was unable to compete with the financial package provided to Manor by Rio Haryanto, as he missed out on a 2016 seat with the team. Rossi entered five of the final seven races of 2015 with Manor and was in contention for a 2016 drive with the outfit, as he sought a full-time drive after last year’s cameo. Rossi explained that he was in discussions with Manor but that Haryanto doubled his offer to Manor and consequently secured the seat. "I […]

Manor has confirmed that Rio Haryanto will make his Formula 1 debut with the outfit this year, meaning that the 2016 grid has been completed. Haryanto, 23, has spent the last four years racing in the GP2 Series, finishing a best of fourth in 2015 with three victories. Haryanto has previously tested for the team, most recently at the tyre test in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2015. Haryanto will link up with fellow rookie Pascal Wehrlein at the Mercedes-powered operation. "Manor Racing is […]

Pascal Wehrlein will graduate to Formula 1 this year with Manor Racing as the second youngest driver on the grid and with a lengthy association with World Champions Mercedes. Wehrlein spent the late 2000s racing in karting in his native Germany and progressed to single-seaters in 2010, competing in ADAC Formel Masters. Wehrlein placed sixth in his maiden campaign before emerging as the front-runner in 2011, claiming the crown with eight victories from 24 races. That earned him a step up to Formula 3 in […]

Manor has confirmed that it has signed Mercedes youngster Pascal Wehrlein for the 2016 season. Wehrlein, 21, has been affiliated with Mercedes for several years and participated in Formula 1 test days for the reigning champions and Force India in 2015, alongside his title-winning DTM campaign. Manor has acquired Mercedes power units for 2016, having previously used 2014-spec Ferrari engines, and has also begun a technical partnership with Williams. Manor has also undertaken management restructuring across the winter, with Dave Ryan, Nikolas Tombazis and Pat […]

Alexander Rossi says he remains positive over his chances of staying with Manor in Formula 1 this season. Rossi made his debut in the sport for the team in Singapore last year and went on to compete in four of the remaining six races, alongside his GP2 commitments, in which he finished second to Stoffel Vandoorne. Manor is the sole team yet to name either of its drivers, with pre-season testing set to begin in Spain in two weeks' time. "Talks are every day," he […]

Manor Racing has continued to bolster its set-up after confirming the signing of Pat Fry as an engineering consultant. Fry has worked for Benetton, McLaren and most recently Ferrari, which he departed amid the mass exits in 2014. Manor has been restructuring across recent months with Dave Ryan and Nikolas Tombazis both joining the fray. "We are extremely fortunate to have Pat on board to help us hit the ground running with our exciting new technical package," said Ryan, the outfit's Racing Director. "The aim […]

Manor Marussia has officially rebranded to Manor Racing, as it ramps up its preparations for the 2016 Formula 1 campaign. Marussia competed in the sport between 2012 and 2014 before the squad was revived under the 'Manor Marussia' moniker in 2015, following a tumultuous off-season period. Manor Marussia competed last year using an upgraded version of its MR03 and 2014-specification Ferrari power units, finishing adrift at the bottom of the championship having failed to collect a single point. Manor will this year use a new […]

Roberto Merhi looks set to hang onto his Manor seat at least for another race. While his F1 rivals take the weekend off, 24-year-old Merhi is currently in his native Spain, preparing for the opening race of the Formula Renault 3.5 series. But EFE news agency quoted the Spaniard as indicating he is also expecting to return to the wheel of his Manor car and keep "improving gradually". Merhi also said he hopes Manor "gives me a good car as soon as possible". He has […]

Manor Marussia will race in Formula 1 for the first time since last year's Russian Grand Prix after the stewards granted approval for Roberto Merhi and Will Stevens, despite neither driving qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix. Merhi's time in Q1 was outside of the 107% mark while Stevens did not take part in the session due to a fuel pressure problem on his car. However, both drivers posted times within the 107% barriers earlier in the weekend. "We were hoping to make the 107% […]