Max Chilton has expressed his happiness that the Manor F1 Team have managed to survive in Formula 1, but also said he was happy not to be racing with the team this season.
The Briton raced for the team, then named Marussia during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, but stepped away from Formula 1 to race with the Nissan Nismo LMP1 squad in this seasons FIA World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as in some Indy Lights races in the United States with Carlin.
Chilton feels he has unfinished business in Formula 1, and wants the opportunity to return there one day, but wants to be in a team that can allow him to show his true potential, something he feels Marussia could not do.
“It’s good to see they kept going,” said Chilton to Motorsport.com about Manor. “I know how much work has gone into the team over the past five years. I know they’re fighting.
“I’m very happy I didn’t join because this is where i really need to be though. Obviously, I still hope to be in Formula 1 one day, but i want to be in a car where I can show what I can do.”
The Briton has revealed that racing single seaters in Indy Lights this year for Carlin, alongside Formula 3 convert Ed Jones, has been positive, but he has not made up his mind about where his future lies, expressing his happiness at being part of the Nissan WEC project.
“It’s been a very weird year for me,” said Chilton. “I usually know a year prior what I’m going to do. This year, I didn’t have a clue.
“In America, I helped with Carlin’s move (to Indy Lights). It’s nice to be racing in a single-seater again. I haven’t made my mind up on where I want to go in the future but I really like what I’ve seen here. It’s great to be part of Nissan.
“It’s really a project. We are stretching the boundaries of motorsport design. There’s lots of doubters out there but I believe in it.
“I think this year is going to be hard because we are trying to attempt new something which is difficult to do. I actually think that in the long run, it can work.
“Next year, we’ll show more speed but the main thing for us this year is to show that the concept has its highlights and that we can finish.
“I’m lucky to have already done the Monaco GP and this is one I’ve always wanted to do. I’m really lucky to be part of an LMP1 works team straight out of F1.”
