Manor Marussia driver Will Stevens has reached the half-way mark of his first full season in F1 without any championship points, but with a bundle of enthusiasm and commitment still fueling his determination to build his future in Grand Prix racing.
The British novice, who started his F1 career last year in Abu Dhabi with Caterham, has acquitted himself relatively well this season, earning the praise of Manor bosses John Booth and Graham Lowdon in spite of his team's minnow status and spending his Sunday afternoons at the back of the field, on the receiving end of frantically waved blue flags.
But the difficulties inherent to being a Formula 1 backmarker haven't deterred Stevens' motivation, well aware as he is that perception from the inside is more important than what may transpire from the outside.
"We’re racing at the back, but the people inside F1 can still see that you’re doing a good job and achieving the maximum you can in the car that you have," Stevens said in an interview published on the official Formula1.com website.
"So far I think people are seeing that - or at least that’s what I’ve heard. It doesn’t matter where I am on the grid, this year was all about me proving I’m ready to be in F1 and I’m ready to stay in F1. I’m not here just to do a year or a few races - I want to earn a career in F1."
"So far this year I couldn’t have asked for anymore. I’ve settled into the environment really quickly and I feel comfortable straight away being here. I’m enjoying every minute. I’ve been welcomed into the team and felt at home straight away - I think that’s why the results so far have been strong."
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