Manor have received a huge boost in their bid to move up the grid in 2016 as they secured a new engine deal with Mercedes.

The team has been using Ferrari engines the past two years but has lagged behind all the other teams on the grid due to a lack of both engine power and aerodynamics issues. However, the Mercedes V6 turbo engines have to proven to be the best ever since they replaced the V8 engines in 2014, with the Mercedes constructor team running away with both drivers’ and constructors' championships last year and almost certain to do the same.

Ferrari has seemingly progressed in the engine development race, winning three races so far this season, while Red Bull has struggled with its Renault engines and have issued a threat to quit the sport if it hasn’t found a competitive engine. McLaren, meanwhile, are in the first year of their engine deal with Honda but have also been struggling at the back of the grid with Manor.

Mercedes’ new engine deal news comes in the wake of Renault’s announcement that it is set to take over Lotus ahead of the 2016 season. Lotus currently run with Mercedes’ engines, but Renault’s takeover would mean that Mercedes would have one less customer team to supply to next season. With Manor now virtually replacing Lotus, Mercedes will continue supplying engines to three other teams next year as well in Force India, Williams and Manor.

Manor have also announced that they have a deal with Williams which will see them use the latter’s transmission and suspension systems, which should mean they have a much more competitive car for next season.

“Manor is a tenacious team with a fantastic competitive spirit, and we are all excited to see what step forward they can make next year with their new car coupled with the Mercedes-Benz Hybrid Power Unit. We like Manor a lot. Because there is a competitive edge to the whole story, that if Manor gets the right chassis and the right engine, it would be a pretty interesting narrative to see how the team develops," Mercedes boss Toto Wolff told the BBC.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES