Mid-season review – Manor: Up and in the points

The important numbers

Constructor standings position: 10th

Pole: 0

Podium: 0

Victory: 0

Best result: 10 (Wehrlein: Austria)

Best qualification: 12 (Wehrlein: Austria)

A major asset: the Mercedes engine

One of the main new features of this new season is the arrival of the Mercedes engine, replacing the previous Ferrari engine. Having the best engine on the circuit is an undeniable advantage in the battle that awaited them with Sauber, and even with the newcomer Haas. Manor has also significantly strengthened its technical team with the arrival of Pat Fry as a consultant and Nikolas Tombazis as the aerodynamic director.

A duo of novice pilots

Dave Ryan, the new team director replacing Graeme Lowdon, has decided to entrust both seats to two drivers without F1 experience but with very different profiles. Thus, Pascal Wehrlein made his F1 debut thanks to the support of Mercedes, who rewarded him for his DTM title. The German arrived with a strong reputation, and many paddock observers were keen to see what the protégé of the star brand was worth.

Rio Haryanto could count on the support of the Indonesian oil company Pertamina, after several seasons in GP2. This significant financial backing allowed him to outpace other contenders, such as Will Stevens, who was a driver last year, or Alexander Rossi, who did a five-race stint at the end of last season and this year won the legendary Indianapolis 500 in IndyCar.

A return to the points

At the beginning of the season, it was expected that the German would easily dominate his teammate. However, that was not the case as the Indonesian demonstrated an impressive pace in qualifying, very close to what the DTM champion could achieve. Since the beginning of the season, Rio Haryanto has had nothing to be ashamed of regarding his performance in the Saturday sessions, as he only trails “just” 4-8.

Moreover, at the beginning of the season, the two teammates took turns winning their confrontations, with Rio Haryanto taking the advantage in Australia and China, while Pascal Wehrlein was ahead in Bahrain and Russia. But since then, the German has taken a clear advantage as in the next eight races, he was only outperformed in Monaco and Silverstone.

But the difference was felt more during the race because Rio Haryanto’s only “victory” took place at the Baku Grand Prix, but only because Pascal Wehrlein was forced to retire due to brake issues. However, car number 94 had its moment of glory in the very next race, in Austria. After a very good qualifying session, finishing in 12th position, he was able to make the most of the race circumstances to finish in tenth place, earning a very valuable point in the Constructors’ Championship. If Manor could maintain this advantage over Sauber until the end of the season, they would continue to receive the precious funds from FOM.

Changes at the start of the school year?

But if Rio Haryanto is not overshadowed by his teammate, he could lose his seat at the end of the season. Indeed, the support from Indonesian authorities was only planned up to Budapest and the driver was expected to gather additional millions of euros for the rest of the season. With Germany only a week after Hungary, the team did not make a change at that moment.

But it is increasingly rumored that a certain Esteban Ocon might make his F1 debut, after impressive tests with Renault and laudatory comments from Toto Wolff. However, Alexander Rossi also hopes to leverage his experience within the team as well as his victory in the latest Indianapolis 500.