The Manor Marussia F1 Team will switch from Ferrari power to Mercedes for the 2016 season after finalising a ‘multi-year’ deal with the Brixworth company.
Manor is currently using 2014-spec Ferrari engines following a last minute deal with the Italian company after the team was saved from collapse, but with good investment behind the outfit, they are seeking a more competitive engine.
Team principal John Booth is confident they will get that with Mercedes.
“I am delighted to announce our new Power Unit partnership with Mercedes-Benz for the 2016 season and beyond. Although there were many factors governing our selection of an engine partner to help power us towards our long-term ambitions, ultimately the strength of the Mercedes-Benz package speaks for itself.
“2015 has been a rebuilding year in every aspect of our operation. Although we have not been able to make the incremental strides in competitiveness that the team has enjoyed in previous seasons, we have put in place a strong foundation from which to progress.
“Together with the potential we are seeing with our 2016 car in the wind tunnel, the Mercedes-Benz Power Unit will assist our return to aggressive performance development with effect from next season.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Scuderia Ferrari for their support for our team over the past two seasons. In 2014, together we shared in the momentous occasion of the team’s first points and in 2015 Ferrari supported us to a degree that was above and beyond the requirements of our partnership agreement.
“Quite simply, we could not have returned to the grid without them pushing extremely hard to support the MR03B, at the same time as focusing on their own 2015 package.”
Manor has also secured a deal with Williams to use their transmission and suspension components, confirmed Booth.
“I am also pleased to announce that we will resume our prior technical partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering, from whom we will receive the supply of transmission and suspension components.
“Combined with Mercedes-Benz Power Units, we are very excited about the strength of our new powertrain package and what it means for the long-term future of our team.”
The deal has been in the works for several weeks but was held up by Lotus’ uncertain future. With Renault now committing to a buyout, it frees up a supply of engines for Manor.
