user icon
icon

Manor: "Today was effectively our first day of testing"

link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Manor: "Today was effectively our first day of testing"
The 2015 season is off to a stuttering start in Melbourne, with only 8 of the 10 teams actually firing up their engines in Friday practice. Sauber is embroiled in the Giedo van der Garde chaos, while the engines at resurrected Manor stayed silent for entirely different reasons.

After its computers were wiped clean for sale amid administration, Manor is now in frantic talks with engine supplier Ferrari to re-install crucial data that will allow the complex 'power units' to even be fired up. "Just because we're here doesn't mean you just turn the key and go," boss Graeme Lowdon told Britain's Sky.

It is rumoured Manor's operational issues are so complex the team may not be ready to turn a wheel for several races. "We just have to keep working through methodically," said Lowdon, who said Manor will do its "absolute best" to be able to qualify and race in Melbourne. As the other cars practiced on Friday, Manor confirmed: "Today was effectively our first day of testing".

So even if the software problems can be resolved, the team is facing a shopping list of other problems. There are rumours the British government is still pursuing the team for unpaid taxes. Other speculation suggests Ferrari is also pushing for bills to be paid.

And then there is the matter of the hurriedly-modified 2014 car, powered by the similarly year-old Ferrari engine. Asked if the 107 per cent qualifying rule might be a problem, driver Will Stevens admitted: "It depends how much faster the guys at the top have become."

Winter testing suggests the field has moved forward by a factor of at least two seconds per lap. "We're going to do the best job we can," said Stevens, "but whether that's within 107pc or not I don't know." (GMM)
F1 News Will Stevens Ferrari Sauber Manor Motorsport

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

More news

Test calendar

Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Pos
Team
Points
1
Mercedes
244
2
Ferrari
165
3
McLaren
116
4
Red Bull Racing
69
5
Alpine F1
50
6
Racing Bulls
35
7
Haas F1
21
8
Williams
11
9
Audi
2
10
Aston Martin
1
Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
China
Shanghai International Circuit
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
See full schedule

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
China Shanghai International Circuit
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
See full schedule

Driver profile

GB Will Stevens 28
  • Team Marussia
  • Points 0
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 19
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Jun 28 1991 (34)
  • Place of b. Roachford, United Kingdom
  • Weight 63 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Ferrari
Show full profile
show sidebar