Jordan King: Manor collapse 'a blow' to all young drivers

40

GP2 race Jordan King was one of the young hopefuls vying for an F1 seat at Manor before the minnow outfit caved in following a lack of funding.

While the team's demise was bad enough, as a reduced the F1 grid to ten teams, its disappearance will also impact the career of young drivers according to King, who tested with Manor and ran in two Friday practice sessions at Grand Prix last year.

"I think it's a blow for Formula 1 in general - the grid is shrinking by near enough 10%, which I don't think is beneficial," King told Autosport.

"For everybody in my position as a young driver, it becomes a lot harder when the grid shrinks."

With one less opportunity to look at, King's F1 hopes and expectations have undoubtedly been set back, but the 23)year-old junior remains optimistic.

"From a racing career level it's tough as well, because that was the best chance I had in the short term of getting into Formula 1.

"So I've got to make some new ties within Formula 1, but it's a small world and everybody knows everybody, so it shouldn't be tough if I perform correctly."

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

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

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.