Race - Abu Dhabi GP report: Manor Ferrari

Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi delivered the Manor Marussia F1 Team their 14th two-car finish of 2015 in this evening’s season finale at Yas Marina Circuit. They brought the workhorse MR03Bs home for a final time, in P18 and P19 at the end of the 55 lap Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, under the floodlights of this spectacular 5.554km circuit.

John Booth, Team Principal

“It has been fantastic to end the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with yet another two-car finish, incredibly our 14th of the season. That really is quite a reliability record, considering the MR03 and MR03Bs have completed a total of nearly 45,000kms during 2014 and 2015.

“Our race today largely characterised our season; both the team and the drivers worked their hearts out, but there was a limit to what could be achieved with the package we have had this year. Nonetheless, we have achieved so much more with what we have than should ever have been possible and I am extremely proud of every single member of the team for having done so.

“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Scuderia Ferrari. They have been a joy to work with throughout our partnership and we have shared some very special memories together that I am sure we will all treasure.

“This is of course my final race with the Manor Marussia F1 Team. At a time like this, there is so much to say but I think the single biggest sentiment I will take away is incredible pride at just how much we punched above our weight for such a small team. It was a greater challenge than we ever anticipated, but six years on we are still here fighting. I wish the team every success in the future and I will be following their progress with a great deal of satisfaction at what we created together.”

Will Stevens

“I’m really pleased to end my debut season on a positive note with yet another two-car finish. It was also the best possible reward for the team - both here in Abu Dhabi and back at the factory - at the end of a long hard season. I’ve been feeling really comfortable in the car all weekend and thankfully I was able to carry that confidence through to the race today. On the whole, I’m pretty satisfied with how things have gone for me in my debut season. I gave it everything I have and I definitely feel like I’m just getting started, so fingers crossed this is just the beginning. I would like to thank everyone in the team for their support, but in particular John and Graeme, who we say goodbye to here today.”

Roberto Merhi

“A disappointing race for me today and not the finish to the season I was hoping for. We started from the pit lane after a mechanical set-up change during parc ferme conditions, so that made everything much more difficult for us. Then on the first stint I flat-spotted my tyres, but we’ve struggled with the brakes all weekend here. Nonetheless, I have a lot of positives from my debut F1 season to reflect on, including our best race result of the season - P12 at Silverstone. I would like to thank the whole team, not only for this opportunity but for the hard work throughout the season. We’ve had some difficult times, but I am very proud of us. My thanks also to John and Graeme and I wish them well for the future. I am sure we have not seen the last of them!”