Manor's Graeme Lowdon has extended his gratitude towards Ferrari for being instrumental in its survival as the team looks ahead to a promising future.

Despite slipping into administration towards the end of the 2014 season, eleventh hour investment allowed the team to return to the grid just in time for the 2015 opener in Australia, even if it didn't turn a wheel until the second event.

However, this was in part only made possible by the co-operation of Ferrari to maintain a supply of its 2014-specification engine - following special dispensation from the FIA - which Manor has continued to use all season.

For 2016 though, Manor will enter into a new era with Mercedes-power after signing a multi-year deal to get a supply of arguably the most competitive power unit on the grid. With brighter prospects ahead, Lowdon says Manor is indebted to Ferrari for its part in keeping the team alive.

"It's important to recognise the assistance we have had from Scuderia Ferrari as well this year. This year was a very strange year for us and we were in a situation where without their help at the start of the season we simply wouldn't be here.

"There was a huge amount of effort that went into making sure our team was still on the grid and I think we'll always be extremely grateful for that. But looking to the future I think we've got a chance to level the playing field a little bit and try to get back into the pack and really start racing again.