Manor Racing Signs Rio Haryanto For The 2016 Season

Manor Racing has confirmed its second driver.

Manor Racing has confirmed its second driver. Indonesian driver Rio Haryanto will join Pascal Wehrlein in the other Manor Racing F1 car. The 23-year old has impressed in smaller single-seater cars since 2008. Both the drivers for the team are rookies and will make their Formula One debut this year.

Rio Haryanto

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“Manor Racing is a team with an exciting vision and ambitious plans. They have produced a great package and I can’t wait to get in the car. Melbourne will be a huge moment for me, my country, supporters and fans and I want to thank everyone who’s been with me since I started in single seaters; 2016 is my chance to reward that faith and represent Asia in F1,” said Rio Haryanto.

“We are delighted to announce Rio as our second race driver for 2016. Rio’s been racing since he first got into a kart at six years old. He’s tenacious on and off the track and made a big impression on last year’s GP2 battle. Rio’s huge following in Indonesia is great for the team and for F1. They are keen to see him on the grid and we’re confident that we’ll see him enjoying some exciting battles in the year ahead,” said Stephen Fitzpatrick, Manor Racing’s owner.

Manor Racing’s 2015 car

Manor Racing are expected to be more serious contenders this year after signing on  top former Ferrari engineers like Pat Fry and Nikolas Tombazis as engineering director and chief aerodynamicist. They also have access to Mercedes’s wind tunnel and will run Mercedes engines.

The 2016 car will be released on the 22nd of this month and will debut at the first test in Barcelona next week. The first race of the season will be held in Melbourne, Australia on the 20th of March.

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