Rio Haryanto secures Manor drive for the 2016 season

It has been announced this afternoon by the Manor Racing Team has confirmed this afternoon that Rio Haryanto will drive alongside Pascal Wehrlein this year, meaning the last available place on the 2016 grid has been taken.

Haryanto finished fourth in GP2 last year with three victories after four full seasons in Formula One's feeder series. He brings financial backing from the Indonesian state government and will become the first Indonesian to race in Formula One.

In an statement to the media today, Haryanto is clearly delighted to have joined the Manor team and is looking forward to the season ahead. Haryanto stated the following:-

'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.'

It is clear that Haryanto is delighted to have secured the Manor drive and believes in the team's philosophy and plans for the future too. As he rightly says, when he makes his debut not only will it be the most important moment for him as a driver but it will also be a special moment for his country too and he cannot wait to get started either.

In his statement to the media today, Manor's owner Stephen Fitzpatrick added the following about signing Harynato:-

'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.'

From what Fitzpatrick has stated in his interview today, it is clear that he is delighted just like Rio is to join the Manor family and to get started with the task at hand. It is clear that he believes that Rio is the man for the job and believe that the talent and driving ability he has shown in GP2 last year will translate this season into Formula One.

From what watching Haryanto on the track in GP last season, he clearly has shown that he can race and that if he carries on with developing the way that he has, he will not only make himself proud but his country proud. I wish Rio the best of luck in his debut season and hope he can show what he can do on the track as well.

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa