Will Stevens looking for long-term F1 deal

26 November 2015 04:17

British driver Will Stevens is angling for a multi-year contract in a bid to secure his Formula One future.

With Abu Dhabi set to bring down the curtain on this season's championship, Manor are the only team yet to announce their driver line-up for 2016.

Stevens, who has been partnered by Spaniard Roberto Merhi and American Alexander Rossi this year, is "100 per cent" confident he will be with the team next term.

But the 24-year-old is keen to secure a long-term deal with Manor, who will be powered by Mercedes engines from next season.

"What we want to achieve is that I am not sitting here at the end of next year saying 'am I going to get a seat for 2017?'," Stevens said.

"What we have always worked on is to get longevity and security for my future in F1 and we are working hard to try and figure out what the right things to do are.

"We are not in position where there are lots of seats left - there are two seats left - but I am in as good a position as anyone to get a seat for next year. If anyone was in a better position than I am sure they would have been signed by now."

Stevens added: "In terms of am I confident I can get the seat? Yes, 100 per cent I am confident. Everything just needs to come together."

Manor, who will be without team principal John Booth and sporting director Graeme Lowdon in 2016 after the duo confirmed they will leave their respective posts, are expected to make big progress over the winter after teaming up with Mercedes.

"This year is going to be hopefully the worst it is every going to get for me and obviously our performance upgrade next year will be massive," Stevens, who has propped up the field for much of the campaign, added.

"We are in a good position. We aren't in any race and neither are the team to get anything sorted.

"We would love to get everything sorted as quick as we can from my point of view because it is nice to go into the winter break having things firmed up, but i f it is going to happen I am sure it will not be far away.

"There are lots of people working away from the track on my behalf. We have had some really productive meetings and everything is moving in the right direction. Am I sitting here worried about next year? The answer is no."

Source: PA