Who will line up for Manor Racing in 2017?
So as we near the end of the FIA Formula One 2016 Season, Driver Lineups are a major thing.
One team which has not confirmed anything for the 2017 Season is Manor Racing. The potential candidates are very skilled drivers and would be welcomed at Manor Racing.
The 2017 cars are promised by the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM) to be exiting and faster, with the all new Pirelli P-Zero tyres which are wider and bigger in dimensions. Note - these tyres are currently in development and used frequently in Free Practice sessions.
Here are the potential Manor Racing drivers in 2017:
Pascal Wehrlein (Current)
Esteban Ocon (Current)
Rio Haryanto (Reserve)
Marcus Ericsson (Rumor)
Jolyon Palmer (Rumor)
As you can see the two current Manor Drivers are listed but with the uncertainty of Esteban Ocon who is linked with Renault Sport F1 Team. This deal to stay at Manor seems unlikely but would be a excellent choice for the Banbury team. He has the experience of Manor Racing driving their current MRT05 with also knowing the factory personnel too. Ocon has proven in the few races he has had in the MRT05 that he is a good driver but he is still young and improving by the day. Personally we should see how good his performances are for the remainder of the 2016 season then the decision will be made.
Next would be Pascal Wehrlein who is most likely to stay at Manor for the 2017 season. Pascal is Mercedes F1 Team's 'Golden Baby' He is in the Mercedes Young Driver Program but with Lewis Hamilton & Nico Rosberg staying at Mercedes for 2017 it seems like the most logical move to stay at Manor Racing for 2017. Probably in Pascal Werhrlein's deal would be a discount on the Mercedes 1.6L Turbo Hybrid 2017 engine too, saving the team money to develop their car the MRT06.
Then it would be Rio Haryanto who might have his backers back again. After starting the 2016 season with Manor his sponsors basically ran out of funds and backing. Meaning his 2016 seat and contract was terminated with the team. This is where Ocon stepped in at the Belgian Grand Prix. Haryanto has potential in F1 but he was outshone by his teammate Pascal Wehrlein. In many occasions Rio would out qualify Pascal Wehrlein but his race pace seemed lacking. Even the best drivers in F1 have areas to improve on but the race pace would be a priority for Rio to get his 2017 seat with Manor Racing.
Rumors have been floating around the paddock of a potential signing of Marcus Ericsson to the Manor team, but with Marcus Ericsson's sponsors basically buying the Sauber F1 Team this move seems unlikely - he is still on Manors radar, however. Marcus is an excellent driver as has been shown by his time at Sauber, the only thing Marcus lacks is consistency. For example in 2015 Marcus had his best finish of 8th in the Australian Grand Prix which was in a under-performing Sauber car. He is also rumored to be talking to other teams. So for now he is under Manors radar and they will hopefully will try to negotiate a contract if the others fail.
Finally, we have Jolyon Palmer, who has so far been unimpressive in 2016 and is currently fighting for a position for 2017 with Renault Sport F1 Team. Jolyon has not impressed many this season, one example, while 9th in this years Hungarian Grand Prix he was running in a solid 9th when he spun off round corner 4. Which you can run wide off but it is very unlikely that you will spin off there.
In his defense he is very good at defending and has scored a single point in this years 2016 Malaysia Grand Prix but his race pace, like Rio Haryanto, lacks massively. Sadly for him it seems very unlikely that he will stay at Renault Sport F1 team for 2017 and also to move to Manor. He is a good driver but there is many other drivers out there which would have probably impressed more than him to the Manor eye.
Overall the these few drivers have great talent and some are just beginning. Manor is a great career starting team with links now to Mercedes F1 Team it seems like Mercedes will use Manor as a young driver team. My predictions for the Manor Racing 2017 team is:
94 - Pascal Wehrlein
31 - Esteban Ocon
I hope you appreciated what I have said and I hope it gives you an insight for 2017.
Youtube - Projectracing
Email - oweinvaniveson@gmail.com
Instagram - @captain_owein
