Will Stevens disappointed to lose scrap with team-mate at Mexican Grand Prix

After leading his Manor team-mate Alexander Rossi for the first 46 laps, Stevens was eventually beaten once again by his American team-mate.

The Rochford-born driver blamed the result on a change in tactics which saw him change tyres just once, rather than the two stops that had been planned.

“I’m pretty disappointed with how the race ended for me, after running ahead of Alex for 46 laps of the race,” said Stevens, who grew up in Hadleigh.

“I had a really good car at the start but we switched strategy from a two-stopper to a single stop, which wasn’t good for me.”

Team principal John Booth, who will be leaving the team after the final race of the season it was confirmed last week, said: “From my vantage point on the pit wall, our race today was every bit as exciting as the one between Nico (Rosberg) and Lewis (Hamilton).

“Will and Alexander had a fierce but fair battle. Ultimately, Alexander triumphed but it could easily have been the other way round.

“It was thrilling right up until the last lap.”

Rossi ended up finishing in 15th place and Stevens 16th spot as the back-of-the-grid team Manor got its 12th two-car finish of the season.

The team is to undergo major changes in the summer with Stevens’ future on the team far from certain.

Booth and team president Graeme Lowdon have been confirmed as leaving after the final race in Abu Dhabi while next year the team will be powered by Mercedes engines and Williams gearboxes.

That will make the cars more competitive which has led to more drivers being interested in the seat, thus putting Stevens’ future at risk.

Stevens said before the race in Mexico that he was optimistic talks with Manor were “heading in the right direction”.

After the race he added: “I’ve had a much improved weekend after a couple of more disappointing races prior to this. I love Mexico and it was a great weekend; I can’t wait to come back. For now though, my thoughts are focused on the final two races.”