Following much speculation surrounding the position of Rio Haryanto at Manor in the past weeks, it has been revealed that the Formula 1 rookie will be dropped from the team, being unable to meet contract obligations. Renault hopeful Esteban Ocon will take his place for the remainder of the 2016 season.
Esteban Ocon Replaces Rio Haryanto at Manor
2016 marked Rio Haryanto’s rookie season in Formula 1, however, at the German Grand Prix some weeks ago, it was announced that the Indonesian driver would need further funding to retain his race seat past the halfway point of the 2016 Formula 1 Season, supposedly owing Manor seven million euros in sponsorship. Earlier this week, IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi was approached by Manor to drive for them for the remainder of this year. Rossi however, refused this offer but said that a Formula 1 comeback could happen for 2017.
Manor racing director, Dave Ryan said: “We are very pleased to welcome Esteban to Manor Racing for the remainder of the season. He is clearly one of the rising stars of F1, shining in his reserve driver role with Renault, while also competing in the DTM with Mercedes-AMG this year.”
For those who haven’t heard of Esteban Ocon, Ocon is a French racing driver and winner of the GP3 championship in 2015, securing 11 consecutive podium finishes from the sprint race at the British GP to the sprint race held in Bahrain. Ocon is also part of the Mercedes driver development programme and is the third driver for the Renault Formula 1 team.
Ocon will begin racing for Manor at the end of Formula 1’s summer break, making his debut at the Belgian Grand Prix. Haryanto has been offered a reserve driver role by Manor, with the team continuing to support his ongoing ambition to race in Formula 1.
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