Manor F1 team wary of threat from Haas outfit in 2016

The arrival of Haas, increasing the F1 field to 22 cars, will put pressure on Manor to retain its lucrative top-10 place in the constructors' championship.

Under current regulations a team that finishes outside the top 10 two years out of three is not entitled to any prize money from F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

With Manor the present back-of-the-grid team, it will be determined to at least keep ahead of Haas when the American team enters F1 in 2016.

Asked whether that was the task facing Manor, Lowdon told AUTOSPORT: "Yes, that's right.

"From what I can see the team coming in next year has gone about making a Formula 1 car in a very different way to everybody else.

"When they do fall under the rules at some stage it will be interesting to see how all that progression goes.

"But we have to focus on what we can do within the rules, and try and be as competitive as we can for next year.

"We are developing the next car. What I am happy about is the progress on it does look really good, so that gives everybody energy to push forward.

"As you know the races come thick and fast [over the second half of this season] so we can't be complacent, and equally we can't wait around for performance to come.

"We have to keep pushing as much as we can, keep trying to add speed, and just see how the second half of the season pans out."

As to what can be expected from Manor after the F1 summer break, Lowdon initially joked: "Hopefully we won't look quite so knackered."

He then added: "It's been non-stop. I know it's the same at every team, but we had a very unusual start to the year and we've not had half a chance to draw breath, but now we can.

"People have been tested physically, mentally, and without any question emotionally.

"Because of the regulations, which we support, there is the two-week factory shutdown, so all the guys can go and spend some time with their families, recharge their batteries and be ready to push for the second half of the season."