Manor Racing MRT have insisted that they are not worried about losing both their current drivers for 2017.
Currently both Pascal Wehrlein and Esteban Ocon are contracted to Mercedes and have been linked with seats with other teams. With Nico Hulkenberg switching to Renault Sport F1 Team from Sahara Force India F1 Team, there is now an open seat with Sergio Perez, and on Thursday, it was confirmed that Ocon would be making the switch to the Silverstone based outfit, when he signed a multi-year deal.
For both drivers, this is there debut Formula 1 season, they are both sub-contracted to Manor. So essentially the team’s 2017 driver line-up is in Mercedes’ hands.
Racing Director for Manor, Dave Ryan says it is not frustrating for Manor to lose their current drivers, after they have nurtured them for a season. So they are prepared to join another F1 team.
“It’s not frustrating in any way, shape or form,” Ryan told Motorsport.com. “It’s really nice working with young guys who come on board with great ambition and huge desire to progress and be champions.
“And to be a little part of that along the way is pretty nice. I think it’s great. We loved having Pascal and Esteban as part of the team and have them along for the ride. They’ve contributed massively.
“If they ended elsewhere then that’s how it goes, you know, and we would have two replacement drivers who I’m sure would work really well with the team as well.”
