Briton Will Stevens has been forced to miss the Malaysian Grand Prix after his Manor F1 Team could not fix the fuel system problem that had seen him miss qualifying on Saturday.
The FIA had granted Stevens permission to race on Sunday after setting a lap time within the 107% rule during the practice sessions, but Manor will now only have Spaniard Roberto Merhi on the grid.
Engine suppliers Ferrari will have to investigate the issues with Stevens’ car, but Manor were forced to announce an hour before the scheduled start of the race that the car would not be participating at Sepang.
After missing the Australian Grand Prix due to software issues, this is another blow to the Manor F1 Team, who are running a modified 2014 Marussia car until they can introduce their true 2015-spec car later in the season. The team had been expecting teething problems with their car having missed all of the pre-season tests, with Manor using the early rounds like extended test sessions.
At least in Malaysia, both cars were able to get some track time, and although Merhi was outside the 107% rule during qualifying, he will be allowed to make his Formula 1 debut in Malaysia.
