Manor F1 have signed ex Ferrari technician Pat Fry as their new engineering consultant for the 2016 season. The signing is third in a series of high profile F1 personnel moving to the team. And a clear statement of intention for the season ahead from the team.
New Manor F1 Engineering Consultant Pat Fry.
It’s not just personnel changes that are sparking a renewed belief in the Manor team, as it was announced at the end of last season the team would be running Mercedes engines in 2016. On top of this the team are also receiving gearboxes from the Williams F1 team. The result of the engine and personnel changes has led many to speculate the Manor may be a surprise contender in the hunt for world championship points. And that the team is definitely looking to move up the standings in the constructors. They finished in last place in the constructors standings for the 2015 season, having failed to score a single world championship point.
Manor are the only team to not confirm their drivers for the upcoming season, with several drivers linked to the team. Among them are the teams three drivers for the 2015 season, Will Stevens, Roberto Merhi, and Alexander Rossi. Manor have also apparently been interested in 2014 McLaren driver Kevin Magnussen. However, GP2 driver Rio Haryanto is also said to be linked to a seat, backed by a sizeable sponsorship from the Indonesian government. The team are also yet to name their new Team Principal.
Manor are said to be focused fully on the first of the upcoming pre-season tests in Spain; before the first race gets underway in Australia on the 20th of March.
Image Credit:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/35322219
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/17256615
