Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsManor

Rossi thanks Manor for F1 hopes boost

Alexander Rossi has thanked Manor for giving him the opportunity to prove himself in an F1 car towards the end of the 2015 season.

The American was brought in to race in five of the last seven rounds, only missing the races in Russia and Abu Dhabi in order to complete his GP2 season. Rossi performed well and has been tipped for a full-time seat with the team, and while he says he hopes to share "some exciting news soon" regarding his future, he has shown his gratitude to Manor for the race appearances.

"I would like to thank Manor Marussia F1 Team for their continued belief and commitment in me, and for allowing me the opportunity to make the most of my F1 race debut," Rossi wrote on his official website. "After our combined efforts in 2014 for my F1 debut a year ago, competing this season for Manor Marussia F1 Team was a privilege, and I felt very comfortable over the span of five races and as I now plan and prepare for 2016.

"The opportunity to race came together rather quickly, but it was clear right from the very beginning and fell into place within the two week period between Monza and Singapore. The transition was ideal, as I knew almost everyone within the team due to our long-standing relationship, and from the first day I returned we got right to work.

"Furthermore, I could not have asked for a better group of circuits to make my F1 race debut at; Singapore, Japan, Austin, Mexico and Brazil, and for this I’m very thankful to Manor Marussia F1 Team and their shareholders for making it happen."

And Rossi says the run of races have given him momentum to take in to his plans for next season.

"To my partners, family and working team around me, 2015 was a big boost for our efforts and this thanks goes out to you for allowing me to do what I do. I look forward to the opportunity of paying you back with even more results in 2016, while building upon the current momentum and growth of F1 in America."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.