Pascal Wehrlein: 'Manor racing with Sauber, Renault'

Pascal Wehrlein has claimed that Manor is no longer alone at the bottom of the Formula 1 pecking order.

Last year, the team was clearly the sport's backmarker, but German rookie Wehrlein finished 18th in China, ahead of a Haas, Sauber and Renault in a race in which there was not a single retirement.

"I beat four cars but we still need big steps forward," he told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

"We have the pace of Sauber and Renault."

Renault, Sauber and Renault are all yet to score a point in 2016.