Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsManor

Stevens ultra-confident in F1 future

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Will Stevens is solely focused on retaining his F1 seat with Manor for 2016 and not contemplating other options should the drive fail to materialize.

The 24-year-old, who completed this year his first full season of F1, is putting all his eggs in one basket such is his confidence in remaining with the minnow outfit.

"Right now I have every intention of being on the grid next year," Stevens explained.

"If it was not looking good, or I was worrying about the situation, of course I'd look at other options. But right now I'm not looking at anything else, and my sole focus is on next year."

Whether the British driver has something up his sleeve or simply wielding too much confidence, Stevens' will have to contend with team mates Alexander Rossi and Roberto Merhi's own ambitions to race for Manor, while Indonesian driver Rio Haryanto also joined the frame of potential Manor recruits with the financial backing of the Indonesian government.

As one of the few remaining options, and with a new supply of Mercedes power in 2016, Manor may even see additional young hopefuls converge towards its base in the coming weeks. Still, Stevens remains unfazed.

"There are 22 seats on the grid next year and hundreds of people who want to get into the sport. It's one of those things. Everything in life you've got to take as it comes, and everything happens for a reason.

"Obviously I'm going to be massively disappointed if I don't get the seat. Of course I want the seat for next year which is why I'm doing everything I can to make sure it happens.

"But I think it's wrong to look at Plans B, C, etcetera at the moment because everything really is going in the right direction.

"Yes, if I don't get the seat I will be annoyed, disappointed and all those things, but right now I'm not because I'm confident in the people I've got around me and the people working away from the track on my behalf to make it happen."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.