Rossi to make F1 debut with Manor at Singapore

GP2 Series title contender Alexander Rossi will make his Formula One debut with Manor during this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix in replacement of Roberto Merhi.

The British squad has confirmed that the US driver will take part in five of the remaining seven race weekends in 2015, with Rossi set to honour his GP2 commitments at Sochi and Abu Dhabi.

“I’m very thankful to race for the Manor Marussia F1 Team and for their continued belief in me,” said the 23-year-old. “I’ve been prepared for this opportunity for quite a while now. Many will know from 2014 that the team and I already have a strong relationship and there’s a bit of unfinished business for me here.

“This is a small F1 team that has been through so much. They exemplify passion and true strength of character, and their comeback this season is extraordinary. I’m honoured to be part of this legacy and their continued growth and success.

“I want to thank the management at Manor Marussia F1 Team and my team in the GP2 Series, Racing Engineering, for supporting both my F1 duties and the completion of an already strong GP2 campaign. Since Monza, my return to F1 came together rather quickly and seamlessly. The collective support of both Manor and Racing Engineering was instrumental in making this opportunity possible.

“Singapore is a circuit I really enjoy and the timing of my debut could not be more perfect. There’s a lot of work ahead and I’m looking forward to a busy end to the 2015 season.”

Rossi, who currently sits second in the GP2 standings with two wins, will become the first American driver to compete in F1 since Toro Rosso’s Scott Speed was replaced by Sebastian Vettel midway through the 2007 season.

A former Caterham protégé, the California-born racer came very close to start his maiden grand prix for Marussia last year at Spa-Francorchamps following contractual issues with regular driver Max Chilton.

Rossi narrowly missed out on his F1 breakthrough again when he was called up to replace Jules Bianchi, only for the team to lodge a single entry in Russia out of respect for the then severely injured Frenchman.

Rossi's name was strongly linked to a 2016 Haas drive until team principal Günther Steiner recently said that the F1 newcomers would not hire a US driver for their debut season because “there is nobody out there at the moment”.

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