Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

Momentum restored: Antonelli overcomes bad luck to reclaim control at the Belgian GP

Feature
Formula 1
Belgian GP
Momentum restored: Antonelli overcomes bad luck to reclaim control at the Belgian GP

Hamilton keeps F1 Belgian GP fourth-place finish as mechanic escapes unhurt

Formula 1
Belgian GP
Hamilton keeps F1 Belgian GP fourth-place finish as mechanic escapes unhurt

Ferrari criticises "mega harsh" penalty for Hamilton in F1 Belgian GP

Formula 1
Belgian GP
Ferrari criticises "mega harsh" penalty for Hamilton in F1 Belgian GP

What maiden WRC win means for Pajari

WRC
Rally Estonia
What maiden WRC win means for Pajari

Why Leclerc wasn’t penalised for clash with Piastri in Belgian GP

Formula 1
Belgian GP
Why Leclerc wasn’t penalised for clash with Piastri in Belgian GP

Ferrari summoned for Hamilton's Belgian GP unsafe release after hitting mechanic

Formula 1
Belgian GP
Ferrari summoned for Hamilton's Belgian GP unsafe release after hitting mechanic

F1 Belgian GP: Antonelli reels in Leclerc to win, Russell out after Hamilton clash

Formula 1
Belgian GP
F1 Belgian GP: Antonelli reels in Leclerc to win, Russell out after Hamilton clash

LIVE: F1 Belgian GP commentary and updates - Antonelli wins from Leclerc, Russell out after Hamilton clash

Formula 1
Belgian GP
LIVE: F1 Belgian GP commentary and updates - Antonelli wins from Leclerc, Russell out after Hamilton clash

Manor is "100 per cent" certain of making it on track in Malaysia

Manor is "100 per cent" certain of being able to run in Friday morning's first free practice session ahead of the second Formula 1 race of the year in Malaysia, according to team principal John Booth

The former Marussia squad was in Australia, but because of having to rebuild IT infrastructures was unable to take to the track.

But Booth expects its pair of 2014 machines, which have been converted to meet the current regulations, to be fired up today in preparation for Friday's track debut.

"Yes, 100 per cent certain," Booth told AUTOSPORT when asked if he was sure the cars could run.

"We made a lot of progress in Australia and most of the software glitches were solved by Sunday afternoon as we didn't waste any time there.

"The car build here has gone really well and we should be rolling out at 10 in the morning.

"With these cars, you are constantly troubleshooting, but we think we are in a position to fire the cars up once we get the batteries in."

With much of the IT work completed in Australia, that team has been able to focus on system checks to ensure that the cars should be ready to run since work started in Malaysia this week.

"The cars were prepped mechanically in Australia, so there's not been a massive workload on the cars," said Booth.

"It's just been double checking and re-checking all the configurations and racks."

The team is set to take a conservative approach to track running on Friday as it adapts to its modified cars.

Although the 2014-based cars are familiar to the team, it is determined to maximise the available track running to maximise the progress it makes in practice.

"We will be cautious all day Friday, that's what's in our minds at the moment," said Booth.

"We know the car but we have quite a few new people so it's a good chance to get the people tuned up as well as the car.

"The weight distribution has changed a bit and that will have a small effect. The nose and wing mounts are also totally different so we will have to suck it and see because we haven't had the chance to do much sim work."

It's unclear whether the car will have the pace to qualify within the 107 per cent cut-off in Q1, with Booth admitting "a lot will depend on whether Mercedes use option tyres".

Previous article One man can reinvigorate F1 2015
Next article Williams adjusts its F1 car after Valtteri Bottas's back problem

Top Comments

Latest news