MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 09:54:40| >> :600:190167191:190167191:

Pascal Wehrlein defends Rio Haryanto after ousting

Pascal Wehrlein defends his ousted Manor teammate Rio Haryanto.

Pascal Wehrlein has defended his ousted Manor teammate Rio Haryanto.

Throughout the Indonesian's half-season with the backmarker team, many branded Haryanto a mere 'pay driver' and said that his replacement Esteban Ocon was a clear step forward for Manor's 2016 lineup.

Referring to qualifying at Spa - Ocon's first race - German Wehrlein is quoted as saying by Tuttosport: "Esteban is a great talent and it was nice to be half a second ahead of him.

"Maybe now you will understand that Rio was actually a good driver who was doing a good job. I am convinced that if he had driven here in qualifying he would have been in Q2.

"I think he was very underrated and so I'm a bit sad because he was a good friend who did a great job."

Next up on the F1 calendar is the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

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Esteban Ocon of Renault Sport F1 during previews to the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park on March 17, 2016
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