Newly-appointed Renault Sport Academy member Oliver Rowland tells F1i there were talks with Manor about a potential F1 drive in 2016, but a deal never materialised because of the hefty price tag.
The Briton dominated Formula Renault 3.5 Series last year, securing a record eight wins to succeed Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz in the championship. BRDC president Derek Warwick, who also serves as mentor to Rowland, declared his protégé was “in contact with two F1 teams” after winning the title.
The 23-year-old was eventually announced as part of Renault’s new young driver programme during the French constructor’s comprehensive motor racing launch last Wednesday.
Asked by F1i whether he was in the running to get a drive at Manor, Rowland, who has been backed by the Racing Steps Foundation for several years, replied:
“We were talking – don’t get me wrong but I think I’m probably ready [for F1]. But I did not get a chance. I don’t have some of the money that was required to be at Manor.
“But these guys [at Renault] are good. They have a good project with the Academy and the whole F1 team. It’s pretty positive all in all to be part of it and at the top of that ladder.”
With Renault confirming Kevin Magnussen alongside Jolyon Palmer in Guyancourt, Manor is now the only outfit that has yet to reveal its 2016 driver line-up.
Despite substantial backing from the Indonesian government and state-owned oil company Pertamina, GP2 Series race winner Rio Haryanto is reportedly lacking around one fourth of the $16m (£11m) asked for a seat at the small British outfit.
Meanwhile, Rowland has been confirmed at Dutch outfit Manor MP Motorsport for a first full GP2 campaign following a couple of select appearances last year. Also asked whether it was frustrating to do another year in the junior categories after conquering one of the most competitive rung on the F1 ladder, the Sheffield racer added:
“It is a little bit, but there are still things for me to improve. So I need to make sure that, if and when I get my chance, I’m best prepared and ready for the opportunity.
“There’s still a lot for me to learn: new tyres, new tracks, the GP2 car, that sort of thing. If I learn that properly, there is no reason I can’t be totally ready in the end.”
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