Pascal Wehrlein believes Manor can become regular points scorers and challenge Renault in the constructors' standings, following his 10th place finish at last weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.
Wehrlein claimed his maiden Formula One point as well as Manor's first point since 2014 in Spielberg, a result which saw the Banbury-based outfit leapfrog above Sauber and up to 10th in the constructors' standings. The German says he hopes his team can build upon its momentum heading into the British Grand Prix.
"First of all it's really nice for the team and even for me because if we can finish in this position at the end of the season it would help us a lot for next year of course, with the prize money and everything" said Wehrlein.
"I'm really happy for the team and hopefully we can hold this position. I hope we can keep that momentum and improve even more for the next races and then as I said hopefully we can even fight with Renault in the championship. That would be great and I will push as hard as I can."
The Mercedes reserve driver says that Manor's performance at the Red Bull Ring reflects how far the team has developed since the start of 2016.
"At the beginning we were still struggling a lot I would say and I think our progress has been big. I think we improved a lot since the beginning of the season. Now in the last few races we are pretty much fighting every race with Sauber or with Renault.
Wehrlein added that his drive to a first career point in only his ninth grand prix start proved his own abilities to onlookers, with Mercedes keeping a close eye on his progress.
"The other thing is yes of course it helped me a lot, even to prove to some other important guys that the talent is there and that I can do it. Overall it was a good step forward."