Manor enjoyed a successful first test with its new LMP2 car across the two days of the Paul Ricard Prologue ahead of its debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship next month.
Former Manor Formula 1 bosses John Booth and Graeme Lowdon announced in February that they would be entering the WEC this year.
Although the Manor name does still remain in F1, ‘Manor Racing’ is of no relation to the operation being run by Booth and Lowdon as they begin a new adventure in motorsport.
The Manor team enjoyed its first run with the ORECA 05 LMP2 car at Paul Ricard earlier this week with ex-F1 driver Will Stevens and recent IndyCar racer James Jakes enjoying track time.
All involved were pleased with the progress made over the two days of testing ahead of the team’s race debut at the 6 Hours of Silverstone on April 17.
“It was great to see the car run for the first time and I am really happy with the mileage that we have achieved,” Booth said.
“We are now starting to really understand the car which should put us in good shape for Silverstone. This is the first time that this team have all worked together and they have done a great job.”
Stevens raced for Manor in F1 last year, but was left without a seat after the new team opted for a fresh line-up in Rio Haryanto and Pascal Wehrlein.
The Briton soon struck a deal to keep working with Booth and Lowdon, with his Friday running being his first in an LMP2 car.
“It has been really nice to get to grips with an LMP2 car over the last few days,” Stevens said.
“We have focused mainly on gathering data but we had an opportunity at the end to push a little more and I am very happy with where we have got to in such a short space of time.
“I am now looking forward to my home race at Silverstone.”