Wehrlein defends former teammate Haryanto

Pascal Wehrlein has come out in support and 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 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 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," he added.

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