Will Stevens is adamant Jules Bianchi’s ninth-place finish at the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix has been “key” to Marussia, now known as Manor, still existing in F1 this year.
The late Frenchman had a cracking race in Monte Carlo last season as he hoisted his unfancied MR03 to pick up his team’s maiden points, which eventually allowed it to beat Sauber and fellow minnows Caterham in the standings.
After a troubled winter season, Manor was able to enter this year’s championship mostly thanks to Bianchi’s performance and associated windfall.
“The difference Jules made last year in Monaco is absolutely key to us still being here,” said Stevens. “So I don’t think there’s a single member of the team who underestimates everything he did for the team.
“Without his contribution last year and what he did last year in Monaco then I’m sure things for the team would probably be different now.”
Despite virtually no testing and after experiencing a very difficult season opener at Melbourne, Manor has been steadily improving over the first half of their 2015 campaign.
The British squad was even able to bring some updates to its 2014-spec MR03B at Silverstone three weeks ago, with Roberto Merhi securing a season-best result of 12th for the former Marussia team.
Though he admits repeating Bianchi’s point-scoring feat remains a tall order, Stevens feels confident Manor can spring a surprise if it manages to seize any opportunity that may arise from an unpredictable Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend.
“We’ll still be pushing to get a point, but we’re always going to be in a position where we need a bit of a crazy race to happen for us to get close.
“Saying that, Silverstone we were reasonably close if a few more cars did drop out, so I wouldn’t say it’s impossible but we need things to fall our way.”
“It looks like Sunday could be a little bit mixed conditions-wise. As you can see in Silverstone it always spices it up a little bit, so anything like that is always welcome.”
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