After a weekend where Manor Racing have struggled around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Pascal Wehrlein took delight from finishing ahead of the Sauber of Marcus Ericsson, despite having to make one set of Ultrasoft tyres make 26 laps.
The German admitted it was the toughest weekend so far this season for the team, but to finish ahead of one of their main rivals in the championship made it less disappointing than it could have been in Singapore, even if he was made to work hard for the result.
“We’ve said all weekend this was not our track, but anyway we were P16 and with a Sauber behind me, so it was not so bad,” said Wehrlein. “I’ve loved the whole night race experience and I’m pretty happy.
“This was definitely the toughest race of the season. I was pushing hard from start to finish, but particularly from the midpoint of the race to make sure we kept Ericsson behind.
“Given our performance through the rest of the weekend, it was unexpected that we would have the pace to do that. I was also on the Ultrasoft for 26 laps in the final stint. I had to make that work, and I did, so again, I’m very happy with that.”
