No plans to give Leimer race seat - Booth

Manor team principal John Booth says there are no plans at present to hand Fabio Leimer a race seat in place of Roberto Merhi.

Will Stevens signed a contract for the full season at the start of 2015, but Merhi’s position at Manor was more fluid having originally only been confirmed for the opening four races. With Leimer joining as reserve driver at the Canadian Grand Prix, the move increased the possibility of Merhi being replaced at some stage during the season.

However, following Leimer’s first run in the Manor during practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix, Booth insisted the current plan is to retain Merhi.

Speaking to F1i about the driver situation, when asked if Leimer could race in place of Merhi this year or if he is just being prepared as a back-up, Booth replied: “At the moment it’s just a back-up.

“Fabio did a great job actually, when he hasn’t been in a car since last October - apart from those electric things but you can’t really count those as cars can you - he did a fabulous job and we’ll probably give him another run out before long as well.”

And Booth says he has been impressed with both race drivers so far this season, attributing Merhi’s recent upturn in form compared to Stevens to the European tracks.

“I think the circuits have suited Roberto more. Roberto had terrible trouble looking after his tyres at the start of the year, he really rooted tyres very quickly but he’s learned. We through them in at the deep end, no testing, I know Will had done that one race but really they are still both rookies and they pretty much haven’t put a foot wrong.”

Manor has made 'unbelievable progress' - Booth