Manor switch to Mercedes power for the 2016 season

It has been announced this morning that Manor will use Mercedes power units from 2016 after a signing a “multi-year supply agreement” to switch from Ferrari.

Having only exited administration at the start of this season, Manor has been running 2014-
specification Ferrari power units this year as well as an adapted 2014 chassis. However, the team will switch to Mercedes next season and will use up-to-date engines as part of the agreement.

In an interview with the media today, Manor team principal John Booth says the move to Mercedes power will help the team become much more competitive next season. Booth stated the following:-

'I am delighted to announce our new Power Unit partnership with Mercedes-Benz for the 2016 season and beyond. Although there were many factors governing our selection of an engine partner to help power us towards our long-term ambitions, ultimately the strength of the Mercedes-Benz package speaks for itself.

'2015 has been a rebuilding year in every aspect of our operation. Although we have not been able to make the incremental strides in competitiveness that the team has enjoyed in previous seasons, we have put in place a strong foundation from which to progress.

Together with the potential we are seeing with our 2016 car in the wind tunnel, the Mercedes-Benz Power Unit will assist our return to aggressive performance development with effect from next season.'

I am so happy for Manor who has secured Mercedes Benz engines for the 2016 season. From what Booth has stated today in his interview, he feels that Mercedes Benz have the same aims, objectives and values with supplying engines and feels that as the team grow more in the future, they will be able to go along with them on the journey that they make.

As Booth says, they are currently rebuilding the team given everything that happened sadly to them last season and this is the first major step that shows how serious the team are back actually getting back to competitive ways as soon as possible on the track.

Further on in his interview this morning, Booth had words of praise for former supplier Ferrari, as well as confirming the continuation of a partnership with Williams for 2016. Booth added the following:-

'I would like to take this opportunity to thank Scuderia Ferrari for their support for our team over the past two seasons. In 2014, together we shared in the momentous occasion of the team's first points and in 2015 Ferrari supported us to a degree that was above and beyond the requirements of our partnership agreement. Quite simply, we could not have returned to the grid without them pushing extremely hard to support the MR03B, at the same time as focusing on their own 2015 package.

'I am also pleased to announce that we will resume our prior technical partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering, from whom we will receive the supply of transmission and suspension components.

Combined with Mercedes-Benz Power Units, we are very excited about the strength of our new powertrain package and what it means for the long-term future of our team.'

For Booth to publically thank Ferrari for everything they have done for them is brilliant to see and he is right, as without their support, they wouldn't be in the position they are now nor would they be back racing this season. Ferrari have helped Manor an hell of a lot and they deserve the utter most respect for helping out a fellow team get back racing this season as without them, they wouldn't have.

It is clear that Ferrari and also Williams have done everything and more to help Manor this season and also are happy to remain with Williams for next season and have every confidence in their abilties as a supplier also.

At the moment, Manor has yet to score a point in 2016; with a best finish of 12th place at the British Grand Prix. But with the news that they are switching to Mercedes for next season and having arguably one of the best power units on the grid, things are looking brighter for the Manor F1 team and let's hope this translates on the track starting from the 2016 season.

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa