F1: Manor drivers get permission to race

Manor Formula 1 duo Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi will be allowed to race in the Malaysian Grand Prix despite failing to set fast enough times in qualifying.

Stevens was unable to run at all because of a fuel system problem, while Merhi's best lap was 0.4 seconds adrift of the 107 percent of the fastest Q1 time that is required. However, with both drivers having produced laps at other times over the weekend that were within the 107 per cent limit, the stewards have allowed both of them into the race.

An FIA statement confirmed the drivers would be allowed to compete because they had "set satisfactory times in practice at this event."

Merhi admitted that the weekend had been a difficult one, but said that it was to be expected considering the car had not run before the Sepang event.

"In the three sessions Will has shown that the car is thereabouts on pace, while I had a spin in FP3 today so, along with yesterday, I have not been able to achieve the consistent running I wanted to for the team," he said.

"Coming into this, our first weekend on track, we were aware that we have a lot of hard work to do and that this is just the start. So although we are disappointed for the qualifying result, we have to keep focus on what we have achieved to be here and to be able to begin our development."

Merhi will start from 19th on the grid, while Stevens will line up 20th.

Originally on Autosport.com