The Manor F1 Team continued its impressive finishing record in 2015, with both cars once again completing the race, with Will Stevens seventeenth and Roberto Merhi eighteenth at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Stevens was disappointed to fall behind his team-mate at the start, but once ahead he pushed hard and ended up a considerable distance ahead of Merhi, but ultimately three laps down on the race winner Nico Rosberg.
“It’s good to finish another race with both cars,” insisted Stevens. “From a set-up and car balance point of view, this was probably our best race yet, so a good result for the team.
“I didn’t get the best start and I was behind Roberto for the first 12 laps. After I passed him, I pushed as much as I could. I’m looking forward to Monaco now, which I think is a track that will suit our car a little more.”
Team-mate Merhi was almost forty seconds behind Stevens, and continued his 100% finishing record in Formula 1, but feels the team still need to find some more performance in their modified 2014 Marussia’s.
“I’m pleased we achieved another two car finish for the team,” said Merhi. “The reliability of the car is obviously very good but we have to find some more performance.
“I got a good start and managed to get ahead of Will and stay there for 12 laps but we were on different tyre management strategies. On my second set of tyres I had a flat-spot and as that was a long stint I lost a lot of time.
“I’m happy to finish my first home race though and to have a good team result here in Spain.”
Merhi will find out whether or not he will remain with the Manor F1 Team for the next round in Monaco soon, with the Spaniard also set to race in the supporting Formula Renault 3.5 Series round at the circuit.
