Manor ready for pre-season action after final crash test

Unlike what happened in 2015, Manor will be able to take part in this year’s pre-season testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya after passing the final FIA crash test.

In the wake of its late rescue and exit from administration, the small British outfit did not race a new car last season. Instead, Manor fielded a modified version of its 2014-spec, Ferrari-powered MR03, and only introduced several updates.

The F1 minnows are tipped to improve in 2016, having secured Mercedes engines as well as a technical partnership with Williams. The team has also appointed former Ferrari man Nikolas Tombazis as its new chief aerodynamicist.

“Our next instalment: today we completed our final crash test, so we now have a fully homologated chassis. Next stop Test 1 in Barcelona,” Manor tweeted on Friday.

The opening four-day pre-season test will kick off on February 22 at the Spanish Grand Prix venue. Manor has yet to reveal its driver pairing for 2016, with potential candidates including last year’s drivers Will Stevens and Alexander Rossi, but also GP2 Series frontrunner Rio Haryanto.

F1i’s Chris Medland recently learned that former McLaren-Honda reserve driver Kevin Magnussen was also in the running.

Feature: Assisting an F1 team... from a distance

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

38 mins ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

2 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

3 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

5 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

7 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

8 hours ago