Merhi keeps Manor seat for Montreal

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Manor will retain Roberto Merhi’s services for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

While team-mate Will Stevens has a deal for the entire 2015 campaign, the Spaniard’s agreement initially included “the opening rounds” of the season and is believed to work on a race-by-race basis.

Merhi, who has a dual programme with Pons Racing in Formula Renault 3.5 Series this year, is yet to outqualify Stevens, but managed to outrace the Briton for the first time this season around the Monte Carlo streets.

“The races are coming thick and fast now and it feels like we are in a good rhythm, which certainly made a difference for me in Monaco,” said Merhi. “I was very happy with my performance there.

“I'm looking forward to Canada, as the track looks pretty challenging but also a lot of fun. The mix of long straights and slow sections is interesting and I know the weather can play a big part in mixing things up a bit.

“Monaco gave me a real boost, so I can't wait to be back in the car at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, picking up where I left off there in performance terms and extracting as much as possible from the current package.”

In order to boost the team's recovery chances, Manor has also been pretty active on the technical front with the hiring of ex-Mercedes chief Bob Bell.

Click here for a look back at Robert Kubica's only Formula One victory in Canada 

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