Roberto Merhi has admitted his new race seat at Manor may be short-lived. F1's governing body has now confirmed the race number 98 for the 23-year-old Spanish rookie, who is joining Will Stevens at the resurrected Manor team in Australia. But Merhi admitted to Spanish radio Cadena Cope that the former Marussia team, having scrambled to prepare for Melbourne after emerging from administration, may soon need to replace him with a bigger-budget driver.
"Right now we don't know," he said. "We'll see how the first race goes. I'm more focused on racing this weekend so I haven't stopped to see what comes next. At the moment I am the driver and we'll see if I can do the whole season or not. It's a team that does not have as big a budget as others and may need a paying driver. And I cannot contribute anything because I have no sponsors," added Merhi, referring to Manor who will race in Melbourne with a hurriedly-updated 2014 car with a slightly revised red and white livery.
The Spanish daily AS also quoted Merhi as saying: "I hope that this race will open up the possibility to do more. If I want to continue I need a sponsor, but in Spain I am not finding the support. Hopefully this race will help to change the situation." He said he is realistic about his prospects for Melbourne, insisting that beating his teammate Stevens can be his only goal. "I will not have the means to fight on equal terms with the rest," said Merhi, "using a car and a power unit of 2014, but I will aim to do my best with humility." (GMM)
Merhi needs a sponsor to continue with Manor
- Published on 11 Mar 2015 13:39
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Vowles: Weight reduction solutions for Williams hampered by budget capWilliams faced a difficult start to the 2026 campaign in Melbourne, primarily due to the FW48 being significantly ove...
13 Mar 2026 14:21 -
Leclerc expects Ferrari's start-line advantage to be short-livedCharles Leclerc enjoyed a brilliant start in Melbourne, splitting the front-row Mercedes cars to take an early lead i...
13 Mar 2026 16:23 -
Norris: McLaren must look inward to close the gap to MercedesReigning world champion Lando Norris has dismissed suggestions that Mercedes is withholding technical information fro...
13 Mar 2026 15:22 -
Pérez warns of potential for heavy crashes under new rulesThe 2026 Formula 1 regulations have introduced significant safety concerns among the drivers, with Cadillac’s S...
13 Mar 2026 13:19 -
Wolff acknowledges need for 2026 regulation adjustmentsDespite Mercedes securing a dominant one-two finish at the season opener in Australia, team principal Toto Wolff rema...
13 Mar 2026 12:18
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2025
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Driver profile
- Team Marussia
- Points 0
- Podiums 0
- Grand Prix 19
- Country GB
- Date of b. Jun 28 1991 (34)
- Place of b. Roachford, GB
- Weight 63 kg
- Length 1.71 m
- 3,587 comments on Marussia
1 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Will Stevens
Team profile
- Team name Manor Motorsport
- Base Dinnington, United Kingdom
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Rio Haryanto 88
- Pascal Wehrlein 94
- 18,983 comments on Manor Motorsport
- 3 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Manor Motorsport
Replies (0)
Login to reply