In his year in the sport Stevens has struggled to make an impression, with Manor so far off the pace in 2015. But with a Mercedes engine in this year’s car he would have had more of a chance to show what he could do.
Stevens, back centre, ahead of the 2015 British Grand Prix
The announcement of Haryanto, expected in the next few days, brings to an end protracted and increasingly fractious negotiations between Stevens’ representatives and Stephen Fitzpatrick, the energy millionaire who owns the team.
Haryanto will be partnered by Mercedes protégé Pascal Wehrlein, who was announced last week.
Stevens made his debut with Caterham in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2014, before joining the revived Manor outfit this time last year. Unless there is a miraculous reversal of fortunes over the next 12 months, it is hard to see Stevens racing in Formula One again.
The driver from Rochford, Essex, brought his own sponsorship package last year – around £6 million – but could never match the demands made by Manor and what Haryanto was able to offer. Alexander Rossi, the American, had also been in the frame for the drive.
Stevens’ departure and Haryanto’s arrival completes the line-ups for the 2016 season. The other late change was Pastor Maldonado’s replacement at Lotus by Kevin Magnussen.
Manor have had a turbulent few months with Graeme Lowdon and John Booth, former sporting director and team principal respectively, leaving over a disagreement with Fitzpatrick. Several other senior staff followed.
But under Dave Ryan, the former McLaren team manager who lost his job there after the ‘Lie-gate’ scandal in 2009, Manor have begun rebuilding, hiring two former Ferrari designers.