Roberto Merhi is confident that Manor can continue its strong form at the 6 Hours of Nürburgring after setting the fastest lap and leading the early stages of the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Coming into the event on the back of their first FIA World Endurance Championship podium at Spa, both team and driver belied their lack of experience at La Sarthe by quickly getting onto the pace of the established frontrunners, with F1-convert Merhi qualifying a strong fourth.
Once the race got underway, a well-timed switch to intermediates gave the Spaniard a comfortable lead which he held onto for the duration of his stint. Although Manor dropped back soon after when a bollard became lodged under the car, before eventually retiring with four hours remaining, Merhi believes the team learned a lot from the experience and can contend for a first win in the second half of the season.
Richard Bradley returns to Manor for the Nürburgring alongside Merhi and Matt Rao, after racing with KCMG at Le Mans.
“When I hit the track for the first time, we didn’t have any real data, only sim data, but the team did a very good job because all the gears were exactly right and we were very quick from the first lap,” said Merhi. “The only three drivers that were close to my fastest lap were the three drivers from G-Drive and apart from them, we were the only ones going below 3:37. I was able to do that about five times, so it was a good weekend for myself and the team.
“Between me, Richard and Matt, we can do a really good job in the WEC and in the next races. I like the Nürburgring as a track and although it will be hard, because the ORECA and the Ligier are going to be close, we are discovering new things on every lap we do and, between us, I think we can make a good result. I’m really looking forward to going there.”
James Newbold
