Roberto Merhi has confirmed his F1 future is clouded beyond next weekend's Spanish grand prix. The rookie has only been racing for the resurrected Marussia team on the basis that he may be replaced at any time once a suitable 'pay driver' is found.
So Merhi, 24, kicked off his Formula Renault 3.5 season in Spain at the weekend, admitting: "I have no idea of the future beyond the Spanish grand prix. So far I was the race driver, let's see what happens next," he is quoted by El Confidencial.
McGregor-backed Giedo van der Garde's manager has confirmed rumours that "contact" with Manor has taken place recently. In Bahrain, Merhi was also substantially off the pace of his teammate Will Stevens, who is all signed up for the full season, thanks to his millions in backing.
But Merhi suggested there may be "differences" between the two red and white Manor cars. "Yes, there are differences," he confirmed. "The cars are complete, but with some pieces from last year and perhaps mine is lacking something in comparison to the other."
Merhi also admits that some aspects of F1 have surprised him in 2015. "Right now," he said, "it is as though there are four levels of formula one, four championships. There are a lot of differences between the engines, downforce, traction. You spend so much time in the race, and even practice, managing the (functions of the) steering wheel. It's strange -- it's formula one, but then you are driving all the time without pushing the tyres too much."
Merhi said that, in contrast, his Formula Renault 3.5 "is a car that you can attack with more". "Formula one has eight gears and many more horse power," he added, "but the cornering is practically equal, or even less."
The atmosphere in the paddock is also different in F1, Merhi explained: "(F1) people come in, do their job and then go home. "It's not like karting or other categories where everything is much more familiar. Some people treat it (F1) just as a job." (GMM)
Merhi has 'no idea' about future after Spanish GP
- Published on 28 Apr 2015 08:33
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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Driver profile
- Team Marussia
- Points 0
- Podiums 0
- Grand Prix 19
- Country GB
- Date of b. Jun 28 1991 (35)
- 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 Renault
- Base Enstone, France
- Fernando Alonso 1
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Jenson Button 15
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 236,941 comments on Renault
- 26 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Renault
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