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Wehrlein: 'Tyre degradation issues holding Manor back'

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Pascal Wehrlein believes tyre degradation, which prevented Manor from achieving a better result in Australia, must be addressed if the team wants to improve its performance level in Bahrain.

The young German rookie enjoyed a great start in this year's season-opener, gaining a number of positions at the outset and running as high as 13th before his pace subsided earlier than anticipated when he started to struggle with tyre degradation.

"The start was great," Wehrlein told Motorsport.com. “I was a bit surprised about my start, because it was my first in F1, but it was amazing.

“I improved six or seven positions in the first lap, and then we were really competitive in the first few laps when the tyres were good.

"But then we had quite big tyre degradation, and for me after six or seven laps it got worse compared to the other drivers.

"Then as soon as we put on some new tyres, the pace was back again, so we had a similar pace like in the beginning, so I could fight with other drivers. Then again after a few laps I had more tyre degradation.

Wehrlein is therefore hoping some thorough work with Manor will hopefully lessen the MRT05's tyre issues before his second Grand Prix in Bahrain.

"That’s the first thing we need to work on, to make the tyres last a bit longer. But in general what makes me optimistic is that the pace is there.

"We just need to do some changes on the set-up and make the tyres last longer, and then we are competitive."

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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.