Manor Motorsport MM01 *** 2015 Launch Thread

Merhi is certainly the more interesting driver, but since winning Euro F3 in 2011, he's fallen away a touch. A few good races in FR3.5 last year though to take 3rd.

Stevens, I suspect he has significant money behind him which is what got him his Caterham drive last year.
 
Just read Merhi is signed for the "opening races" only at the moment. Hope he has a good show of it, would rather see him keep the seat than someone swan in with a big cheque and zero talent... That said I don't imagine Manor are in a position to be picky.
 
Guerrilla said:
Just read Merhi is signed for the "opening races" only at the moment. Hope he has a good show of it, would rather see him keep the seat than someone swan in with a big cheque and zero talent... That said I don't imagine Manor are in a position to be picky.
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It might be Merhi who only wanted the short contract to initially see that Manor will get up to speed and not just fall apart after their troublesome winter.

It's not going to do much for his career if they have produced a car incapable of qualifying within 107%, which is quite possible (and perhaps probable in the early races?), despite their great effort.
 
this_is_gav said:
It might be Merhi who only wanted the short contract to initially see that Manor will get up to speed and not just fall apart after their troublesome winter.

It's not going to do much for his career if they have produced a car incapable of qualifying within 107%, which is quite possible (and perhaps probable in the early races?), despite their great effort.
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It seems it's more due to his lack of a sponsor...

Merhi is currently slated to race for the Pons team in FR3.5 this year, but he hopes that he can use his F1 race debut as a launchpad to secure a full-season drive with Manor.

"I hope that this event will open the opportunity to race again during the season," he said.

"I need a sponsor if I want to continue, but unfortunately in Spain I'm not finding support.

"Hopefully this will help me change this situation and face the future with more confidence."
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I hope if it is only for a couple of races he can keep his his FR3.5 seat.
 
I'm the opposite. Manor should be filling the seat with whoever pays the most. Do zero development, save all the money they can and invest on building a solid foundation for 2016. They simply need to do the bare minimum to survive this year. If they get some people willing to pay to be part of the team then the more the merrier.
 
Skeeter said:
I'm the opposite. Manor should be filling the seat with whoever pays the most. Do zero development, save all the money they can and invest on building a solid foundation for 2016. They simply need to do the bare minimum to survive this year. If they get some people willing to pay to be part of the team then the more the merrier.
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Yea that's a fair point, just try to save as much as possible. I'd imagine Merhi has gotten the seat as they couldn't find someone with enough money and a super license or something, hence why it's only for the first races, guess we'll have to see.

It'd still be a shame from Merhi's point of view, that's why I hope he keeps his FR3.5 seat if he doesn't get to keep the Manor seat.
 
Seem to be a lot of drivers with 'some' money behind them but not enough for a whole season. I wonder if Manor might basically end up with people paying on a per-race basis and they'll have 5-6 different drivers through the season.
 
Kevin Clark said:
Seem to be a lot of drivers with 'some' money behind them but not enough for a whole season. I wonder if Manor might basically end up with people paying on a per-race basis and they'll have 5-6 different drivers through the season.
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I could be talking absolute rubbish, but I vaguely remember there being a rule that says you cant have more than 4 drivers per season
 
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