Haryanto targeting learning as fast as possible

Rio Haryanto will be one of three rookies lining up on the Australian Grand Prix grid this weekend, along with fellow debutants Pascal Wehrlein and Jolyon Palmer.

As an F1 driver emerging from Indonesia for the very first time in the sport's history, the 23-year-old novice as generated some good attention from his home country which hope to see the young hopeful succeed at the highest level of motorsport.

"Yeah, there’s been tremendous support back home," Haryanto says.

"Obviously to be able to compete in Formula 1 is a great thing. I’m very proud and I’m sure the whole nation are proud too to have me in F1."

Haryanto racked a few wins in GP3 and GP2 in the recent past, but the final step up the ladder with Manor Racing implies a steep learning curve which has only just begun.

"I’m new to Formula 1 so there are a lot of things to learn. My expectation is to try to learn as quick as possible and to try to build a good relationship with the team and we’ll see how it goes in the races..."

Manor has itself stepped up to the mantel and produced a car which it hope will greatly improve its relative performance compared to last year.

"Yeah, definitely. It’s a much better package that we have in comparison to last year and that’s the goal, to score points.

"We don’t know when but we’ll try our best every race as the races will be long and let’s see what we can do."

F1i's Australian Grand Prix preview

2016 F1 season: Team-by-team preview

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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.

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