With the Formula 1 grid almost complete for 2016, there’s just one hole left in the puzzle at Manor. It’s a different prerogative for the team this year after surviving last season, with a Mercedes powertrain and Williams engineering in their 2016 car which they have been working on since scrapping the possibility of entering a 2015 car midway through the campaign. If everything went well, with the Mercedes in the back, Manor could give the likes of McLaren and Haas a battle at the start of the season. However, to do this, the team would need a pair of stable hands at their wheel.
In 2015, Manor went with the duo of Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi. The Englishman did a solid job in his first full season, with a best finish of 13th at his home race. Merhi entered the team while dovetailing his programme with his Formula Renault 3.5 efforts, however, was left embarrassed after a controversial crash while lifting off after seeing the chequered flag at Spielberg at the first race of the weekend. Merhi was replaced by American Alexander Rossi over five of the last seven rounds, with a best finish of 12th.
However, what if the team wanted to make a gamble and go with someone different for the new season? Here are five contenders who could stake a claim for the seats.
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