The team started the final round of the 2016 World Endurance Championship with Alex Lynn in car 44 in P2 and Roberto Merhi in car 45 in P5. After some very close battles in lap 1, car 45 came round in P5 and car 44 in P6.

Car 44 had very close battles in the first hour. At the 50 minute mark, Alex came in for driver change and a full pit stop, Matt then headed out returning to the track in P4. Matt did a good job to maintain the gaps around him even though he had to double stint the tyres.

At around the 40 minute mark, the pit window opened and both cars pitted for fuel only, when they returned to the track car 44 was P4 with car 45 P8. It was very close in the first couple of hours and at just over one hour it was time for both cars to do a full pit stop and driver change, with Roberto Gonzalez taking over in car 45 and Richard in car 44.

Both Richard and Roberto Gonzalez were setting very competitive lap times and closing the gaps, at just after 2 hours both cars pitted for just fuel. Roberto Gonzalez completed a very solid double stint before handing over to Julien.

At the half way point car 44 was pitted for a full pit stop and driver change to Matt, unfortunately just as they returned to the track there was a full course yellow which cost the team time. Matt and Julien were both setting very good lap times and were again closing the gaps to the cars ahead. Matt had some close racing and at one point was up to P2.

With just over 1 hour remaining it was a full pit stop and driver change for both cars. Alex took over car 44 and Roberto Merhi in car 45. Alex was setting fast laps and was closing the gap. Unfortunately when Alex pitted for his last pit stop, the car had an electrical problem which meant the team had to pit the car to fix the problem, the team fixed the problem but too much time had been lost and the team had to settle for P10 with car 44 and P7 for car 45.

Graeme Lowdon, President and Sporting Director

“I am really disappointed with the end result today, once again we showed some great pace and were fighting for a podium but luck wasn’t on our side. I feel for everybody in the team, they have all worked so hard. We can be relatively happy with our debut season in WEC as we have showed really good pace all year, we’ve been on the podium, qualified on pole and set fastest laps and lap records but in the end we just haven’t had the luck with all the issues. We are now looking forward to a rest over the winter before coming back stronger next year.”

Matt Rao, Driver Car 44

“I am disappointed with the race today, we were looking very strong for a podium. Personally I am happy with my drive today just a shame we had the issue. I would like to say thank you to Manor for a good first season in WEC.”

Richard Bradley, Driver Car 44

“It has been a fun 2016 but I think this race just summed it up, through no direct fault of our own we have lost a good result when we had a very quick car. We have showed all season that we have had a quick car and I think we can look forward to the future.”

Alex Lynn, Driver Car 44

“It has been a fun 2016 but I think this race just summed it up, through no direct fault of our own we have lost a good result when we had a very quick car. We have showed all season that we have had a quick car and I think we can look forward to the future.”

Roberto Gonzalez, Driver Car 45

“I greatly enjoyed the race, I was very focused on taking good care of the tyres while trying to maintain a steady pace. I was also very focused on not making any mistakes on track and during the pit stops. At the end I was happy with 7th but you always want a top result. I appreciate the effort the team put in and thank them for making me feel at home. A big thanks to Roberto and Julien also. I wish Manor the best for 2017.”

Ends