Manor wants to remain a small team in Formula 1

Ryan was back in an F1 paddock in an official capacity for the first time on Monday since his departure from McLaren early in 2009 after 34 years with the team.

Asked by Autosport about his role, Ryan said: "I've a fairly clear brief to do whatever I want.

"We want to be a genuine, solid team, and that's what we are building.

"We'd like to think we can become a good midfield team, and beyond that a really strong midfield team, a really strong independent team.

"We'll always be independent, so to think we can compete with the Mercedes of this world is a bit unreal, but we can certainly aim to be the best independent team.

"We're the smallest team by a big margin. We do a lot ourselves, and obviously we get things made for us.

"We're never going to be a big team, we don't want to be a big team - we'll say that now.

"We'll stay a small team, but we want to be efficient and to get good value out of what we have. That's our goal."

With only one points finish in its six seasons in F1 to date, Manor is naturally aiming to improve on that statistic this season now it has a stronger overall package at its disposal.

Ryan's appointment is part of a new regime at Manor, with Nikolas Tombazis taken on as chief aerodynamicist and Pat Fry recruited as an engineering consultant.

With Mercedes power and Williams transmission in the car this year, it is all part of owner Stephen Fitzpatrick's plan to propel the team up the grid.

"We've got what many people consider to be the best engine on the grid, the same spec as the works team," said Ryan.

"We've a great rear-end package, so that side of it is all sorted for us, and we've just got to do the rest.

"Our expectations are certainly to be competitive and score points, as simple as that really."