Abu Dhabi GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes - Manor/Marussia


Will Stevens - "I'm really looking forward to this weekend. It was here 12 months ago that I made my F1 debut, so this track has happy memories for me and it's one I really enjoy racing at. I had a really strong race in Brazil, so I'd really like to replicate that performance on Sunday and I plan to approach the weekend in a similar fashion, focusing much more on the race than my single lap pace. Beating my team-mate is a moving target once again, with Roberto back in the car rather than Alex, but my aim is still to be the lead Manor driver going into the race, and the first to cross the line at the end of it."

Roberto Merhi - "I'm so excited to be back in the car this weekend for the season finale. As any reserve driver will tell you, I really missed the racing; it will be a long time yet before I'm ready to hang up my racing gloves for a full-time career in TV commentary! I've kept a close eye on everything the team has been doing over the past five races, so I don't think it will be too difficult to get back up to speed on Friday and see how I stand versus Will. I've missed the competitive spirit between us. The most important thing is to do the best job possible for the team on Sunday, and ensure we have a result to celebrate. It has been a long, hard season, so I want to say thank you for this opportunity and I hope I can deliver another strong performance to reward the faith the team has shown in me."

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Russian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes - Manor/Marussia

Will Stevens - “I’m really looking forward to the challenge of Sochi. I was here last year in my role as Reserve Driver, so I walked the track and observed the task of getting to grips with it from afar. It’s quite useful having two different drivers as a benchmark this past few races, and of course it is Roberto back in the other seat for this race, rather than Alex. This is a really technical track and I can’t wait to get my first experience of it on Friday.”

Roberto Merhi - “I can’t wait to be back in the car in Sochi this weekend. It’s the first time I have raced here, but last year I took part in the FP1 session, so I have some understanding of the circuit characteristics and this will be helpful for me after a couple of races out of the car. I’ve continued to work very closely with the team during track sessions and engineering meetings, so I have a very good appreciation of the work we have completed and I’m eager to get stuck into the programme and to make the most of my two races, in Sochi and Abu Dhabi.”

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes - Manor/Marussia


Will Stevens - “I really like the mix of old and new circuits on the existing calendar and Monza is a particular favourite. The track has a fantastic heritage and as a driver it gives you a very special feeling to be racing here. Plus, I’ve won a couple of times here in FR3.5, so it’s a track I know well and enjoy. It’s also the home race of our powertrain partners, Scuderia Ferrari, so we know we can look forward to that extra boost that such a passionate home crowd gives you, albeit in a much smaller way than Ferrari of course. It’s a great track to see out the current phase of European races, before we head to the long hauls.”

Roberto Merhi - “It’s always a really emotional experience to be racing here at Monza and particularly as a small part of the Scuderia Ferrari family. The crowd here are always incredibly passionate and together with the historic significance of the circuit, it’s makes for a very special weekend. The track is really very high-speed and so it is quite a different challenge. Plus, the forecast is for mixed conditions, so it could be quite unpredictable. I hope we can head into the flyaway races with a further boost to our current run of two-car finishes.”

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Belgian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes - Manor/Marussia

Will Stevens - “It was nice for me and the rest of the team to have a good long break, but I think we are all ready to get back into the racing now. I had a lot of fun catching up with friends and family, and every now and then you do need a reboot, but at the same time it was important to maintain my physical training regime as this next phase of the season can be quite arduous, particularly the long hauls. I’m feeling really positive about the work that lies ahead, as it will be a combination of maximising our current package for this year and development for 2016. It’s good to get that underway at Spa, one of my favourite racetracks and a really great challenge for car and driver.”

Roberto Merhi - “It’s good to be back after the holidays and to get back to racing here at Spa, which is definitely my favourite circuit. I won my first Formula race here in 2007, in Formula Renault. Not only is it a very demanding circuit, and a real test of skill, but you also have other factors in the mix, like the weather, which can be really tricky as it is very changeable. Prior to the break, I felt that things were really starting to come together for me a little more and I was much more confident with the car. I hope to pick up where I left off and have a really positive second half of the season for me and the team.”

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British GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes - Manor


Will Stevens - Silverstone is without doubt the highlight of my debut season and I can’t wait to get the weekend started. It’s a busy one, for me and the team, but this is a real opportunity to reward the support of the great British fans, so I’m going to savour every minute. As a racing driver, you never need an extra incentive to do well in a Grand Prix, but you do get that at Silverstone as a British driver. It’s such a great and historic venue and the scene of some fantastic races in the past 65 years, you can’t help but feel that you’re racing somewhere really special. The sight of all those Union Jacks is fantastic and it does make an already fast and exhilarating lap even more enjoyable.”

Roberto Merhi - “It’s hard to believe we’re almost at the middle of my first season in Formula 1, but I’m really pleased with how things are going. I feel like I’ve made some pretty big steps at every race and hopefully this weekend will be another good one for me and the whole team. It’s shaping up to be a very busy home race for us, with lots of partner activity and opportunities to meet the team’s home crowd. Silverstone is a great track and I love driving here. It’s really fast and flowing and pretty interesting from a technical point of view. We have some new developments for this weekend so I’m looking forward to seeing what they can bring in terms of our performance. I hope we will see both cars take the chequered flag on Sunday and have a fun time until then.”

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Austrian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes - Manor


Will Stevens - “I’ve had a couple of good performances at the Red Bull Ring in Formula Renault. It’s a great track and very different to the Canadian experience two weeks ago, but there are a few similarities between the two circuits, including the long straights and high speed corners. It’s quite a fast, flowing track and really fun to drive, with the last sector being my favourite. With no Germany on the calendar this year, this race is one of the big camping events for the fans. Although Montreal is a pretty fantastic atmosphere, there’s something very special about these races as you see the spectators bedding down for the weekend in the fields next to the circuit and loving every minute of it, rain or shine.”

Roberto Merhi - “It was disappointing to have to retire from my first Canadian Grand Prix, and for the team to experience its first DNF of the season. Hopefully we’ll be back to our usual impressive level of reliability for this race, as the more mileage for the car and the drivers, the better it is for our long-term development. I had a good weekend until then and things are really starting to come my way. I really like this next track and I’ve even won a couple of times here, so I’m hoping I can pick up where I left off in Montreal in terms of my own progress. It’s a fast and fun circuit to drive, with a few tricky spots, such as the last couple of corners of the lap, which can be difficult to get right. I’m looking forward to the challenge."

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Canadian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes - Manor


Will Stevens - "After the luxury of a couple of races at tracks I'm quite familiar with, it's a step back outside the comfort zone for Montreal and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. I'm pleased with the way I acclimatise to new circuits, although this is certainly one to be respected as it's pretty unique; a lot of fun but with more than its fair share of challenges. It has that street circuit feel like Monaco, because the walls are so close, but the similarity ends there and it's a track where we really have to look after the brakes. And of course, the right hand side of the car at ‘The Wall of Champions'! Avoiding that will be my first objective, but bigger picture, I hope to have a stronger race than I experienced in Monaco but another great team result with both cars taking the chequered flag."

Roberto Merhi - "The races are coming thick and fast now and it feels like we are in a good rhythm, which certainly made a difference for me in Monaco. I was very happy with my performance there. I'm looking forward to Canada next, as the track looks pretty challenging but also a lot of fun; a real adrenaline rush. The mix of long straights and really slow sections is interesting and I know the weather can play a big part in mixing things up a bit. I hear great things about Montreal also; plenty of events for the fans and a fantastic city to experience. Monaco gave me a real boost, so I can't wait to be back in the car at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, picking up where I left off there in performance terms and extracting as much as possible from the current package."

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Monaco GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes: Manor-Marussia

Will Stevens - "I'm so excited to be racing in my first Monaco Grand Prix this weekend. It's such a historic venue and the atmosphere is spectacular. From a racing point of view it's a real drivers' circuit, one which really showcases ability versus car performance. Precision is key as the smallest mistake can end up costing a driver dearly, but that's all part of the unique challenge and I can't wait to get started on Thursday. It will be an emotional weekend for the team as we remember Jules' amazing achievement here last year. I was only watching then, but that was some race! We'll all be pushing to ensure another strong performance and a two-car finish."

Roberto Merhi - "I can't wait to be racing in Monaco. For sure, this is one of the highlights of the season for any driver. The track is a real adventure in any category but I'm thrilled to be racing here in F1 for the first time and on the 65th anniversary of such an historic circuit. The streets of Monaco are really exhilarating to drive, like Casino Square and the Swimming Pool section and it's a really amazing vibe all weekend. This is a special place for the team, so I hope we can have a good performance in the race for everybody."

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Spanish GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes: Manor-Marussia

Will Stevens - "It's been a long break from the car, so I'm really looking forward to racing again and to getting back to some more familiar circuits. The long haul races were all new tracks for me and while it's good to have that challenge, the European circuits are all places I've raced at many times before. That kind of consistency is important at a time when we are able to start looking forward a little more and what we can do to develop during the remainder of the season."

Roberto Merhi - "A home race is always exciting, so to be racing in front of the Spanish fans in a Formula 1 car for the first time is something very special for me. It's a circuit I know really well, of course, and I love the high-speed nature of the track. The crowd at the Circuit de Barcelona are also very passionate so the atmosphere is pretty electric. I hope we can have a strong race and continue our run of two-car finishes there for them."

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Bahrain GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes - Manor-Marussia


Will Stevens - "Although a back to back race always presents a challenge for the team due to the quick turnaround, as a driver it is always amazing to be able to get back in the car so quickly. That's particularly the case after a good race for us in China. Now we're getting into a good rhythm, I'm really hungry for more so we can keep driving the team forward. Last season's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was my first taste of night racing and it was a fantastic experience, so I'm really excited about racing under the floodlights here and to the challenging conditions this track poses for the car and driver."

Roberto Merhi - "I'm very excited to be racing in Bahrain this weekend. The track looks amazing, particularly at night, and has a pretty interesting set of challenges for the car, due to the track conditions, the heat and the wind. It's good to be able to get back in the car so soon as we seem to have a good momentum building and it is important that we take advantage of that to keep driving our development programme forward. I can't wait to get started on Friday."

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Chinese GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes - Manor

Will Stevens - "There were some positive signs at Sepang with the running I was able to achieve, so I'm looking forward to building on that here in China. It's been good to have the data from Roberto's race there for the team to work with and I'm hoping that we can start to get into a good rhythm from this weekend. It's always good to tackle a circuit I've never raced at before and this one has some nice challenges for both car and driver, so it will be good to experience those and to start getting to grips with the car a little more."

Roberto Merhi - "I was very pleased to complete my first F1 race in Malaysia two weeks ago and I'm really looking forward to the next one here in China. The challenge of getting to know a new track is very exciting for me, especially one that places a lot of demands on the driver, as is the case here at Shanghai. In particular, Turn 1 is a pretty exciting start to the lap which is a real test of skill and the section from turns 7-10 looks really interesting because it's quite fast and flowing. I can't wait to get started on Friday."

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Malaysian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Manor

Preview Quotes: Manor/Marussia


Will Stevens - “It’s great to be heading to Malaysia in the knowledge that we are in a different place to our situation in Melbourne. Sepang is a fantastic and very technical track, so it will be a good test of our package. I’m really excited about being able to begin the development programme and to start to understand what we have and where we are in relation to the competition.”

Roberto Merhi - “I’m very excited about the prospect of making my F1 debut in Malaysia. Obviously Sepang is a challenging environment, so I have been doing all I can on my side to prepare for that to be able to manage the heat and humidity. The last race weekend was disappointing for everyone in the team, but I know how much work has gone into getting us fully operational again and it will be great for everyone to finally see wheels turning.”

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Russian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Caterham

Preview Quotes: Caterham

Kamui Kobayashi - "It's always extremely exciting to race at a new circuit - I had a chance to do a few laps of this new Russian circuit in Sochi with the Codemasters 2014 F1 Game in Suzuka last week and, even though it was a video game, it seemed like an interesting circuit because of its mix of corners, some of them very tight, and high speed sections. I am looking forward to driving there in real life. It will be an interesting challenge for us all and we will do our best. Our thoughts are also with Jules and his family at this difficult time."

Marcus Ericsson - "First of all my thoughts are still with Jules and his family. It will be a weekend of mixed emotions, but it's going to be interesting here in Russia and a race I'm really looking forward to. This will be my first time racing in this country and at this newly-built track. It looks a bit like a street circuit because in a few areas the walls seem very close to the track - I like this type of circuit, street circuits seem to suit me: in Monaco I matched the team's best result and two races ago in Singapore I raced one of my best Grands Prix in F1, so I hope we can add this weekend to the list. I'm feeling much more confident this second half of the season and, together with the team, we are steadily improving race after race. We can be happy with the progress made and now we need to make sure we continue to build on the positives and get the most out of the weekend ahead."

Roberto Merhi (Driving in FP1) - "I'm very much looking forward to my third FP1 outing with Caterham F1 Team this weekend in Sochi. I feel much more comfortable in the car and this gives me more and more confidence when I drive out of the garage each time. This is my second time in Russia this year, but my first time in Sochi - it's a country that definitely brings me good memories, as back in July I won the first Formula Renault 3.5 race of the weekend at the Moscow Raceway. The Sochi layout looks like a great one to drive - it will be interesting to see what it feels like to drive for the first time."

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#ForzaJules

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Japanese GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Caterham

Preview Quotes - Caterham:

Kamui Kobayashi - “I’m very excited to be back in front of all my Japanese fans and racing at Suzuka; I’ve been waiting for this race for over a year. The Japanese Grand Prix and Suzuka have always been very special for me: it’s where I experienced my first F1 Free Practice sessions back in 2009 and where I also achieved my first ever Formula 1 podium finish in 2012 and, this year, I am able to come back to Suzuka thanks to the support I received from my fans. This means a lot to me and I would like to thank them all once again. I only have positive feelings going into this weekend. Unfortunately, this year I have to admit that I won’t be fighting for a podium, but I will do my best to reward my fans with a strong performance in order to thank them for their enormous support - I look forward to meeting them all there.”

Marcus Ericsson - “I can’t wait to go back to Japan for my first Formula One race! It’s a country that brings back very good memories - I won the Japanese Formula Three championship there back in 2009, becoming the first Swede to win this title. Suzuka is also one of my favourite Japanese circuits and during my successful Japanese F3 season I managed to be on pole, win the race and set the fastest lap there; it’s a track I know very well. This will be the first time I drive it in a Formula 1 car and I look forward to racing through the high-speed corners. It’s a very demanding and challenging circuit, but that’s what makes it even more fun and one of the best tracks in the world. After a very positive end to the weekend in Singapore where we were able to stay ahead of our main competitors, I’m hoping to continue fighting out on track and make the most out of the weekend ahead in Japan. The good results are making me feel even more confident every time I get in the car; we need to make sure we make the most of the next five races and build on this momentum.”

Roberto Merhi (Driving in FP1) - “I’m very happy to be driving in another FP1 session with Caterham F1 Team. I want to thank the team for this opportunity - after my first outing a month ago in Italy, I am now looking forward to another 90 minutes in the car. I will not be starting from zero like last time, so I will be able to get up to speed quicker. I have never driven in Japan, so I will need to learn the track at the same time as I continue to get used to the car, but it’s a dream come true to be able to drive at such a special track like Suzuka, I just can’t wait for it to be Friday!"

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Italian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Caterham

Preview Quotes - Caterham

Kamui Kobayashi - "I am working for Caterham F1 Team and I always respect team decisions. Now I am back in the car and looking forward to going racing again! We have worked hard as a team and added performance to the car as well as bringing new updates since I last drove in Hungary before the summer break, so I'm looking forward to feeling the updates on track here in Monza. I always enjoy the Italian GP, not only because of its high-speed nature; I also like the Italian fans, they are always very enthusiastic and a very big part of the Italian GP weekend. They create a very special atmosphere."

Marcus Ericsson - "I always enjoy racing at such a legendary circuit as Monza, where I scored one of my 13 GP2 podium finishes, but to do it for the first time driving a Formula One car is going to be even more special. I can't wait to get out on track: the long straights and fast corners mean that we are on full-throttle for most of the lap; it's a fantastic high-speed layout – in fact it's the circuit with the highest top speed of the season, so maximum power and minimal drag will be key.

After a solid race in Belgium, we need to build on the progress we made with the car and continue to work in this direction. We aim to fight against our nearest rivals and it will surely be another close battle I am ready for."

Roberto Merhi (Driving in FP1) - "I am delighted to be taking part in my first ever Formula One Free Practice session and I want to thank Caterham F1 Team for this opportunity – it's something I've wanted for a very long time! I've been working very closely with the team during the last few weeks and I feel ready for this opportunity; Friday is going to be a very special day for me and one I will never forget. Monza is also one of my favourite tracks – I ended up on the podium there earlier this year during my first race of the season in the Formula Renault 3.5 championship, so it's a circuit that will bring back very good memories. What a year it's been so far: last Christmas I didn't really know if I was going to carry on racing and now I'm about to drive a Formula One car! I'm definitely going to make the most out of this weekend in Italy."

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