• Malaysian GP - Qualifying

Manor granted permission to race in Malaysia by FIA

March 28, 2015 « Grosjean gets two-place grid penalty | Ricciardo happy to settle for fourth on grid »

Manor has been given permission to race at the Malaysian Grand Prix despite seeing Roberto Merhi and Will Stevens fail to set a time within the 107% time required in qualifying.

Merhi's best was four tenths short of the minimum time of Lewis Hamilton's benchmark in Q1, while Stevens failed to run at all in qualifying due to a fuel system problem. However, an FIA statement issued after qualifying stated both drivers had "set satisfactory times in practice at this event".

Stevens was within 107% of Hamilton's headline time in FP2 on Friday afternoon. Merhi did not match that feat at any point during the weekend but the stewards may have taken into account individual sectors which added up to one lap within the required amount.

The decision means Merhi will start 19th, with Stevens behind in 20th.

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