The Manor F1 Team has made a major line change with seven rounds remaining in the season. Roberto Merhi will be taking an absence for five out of the seven rounds left in 2015. Instead, a new Formula One star will be making his debut.
GP2 driver, Alexander Rossi, will be taking a role behind the wheel of the underpowered Manor car, signing a contract with the Manor F1 Team for the rest of the 2015 season. Merhi has been demoted, joining Fabio Leimer as the team’s reserve driver. Rossi is currently a title contender for the 2015 GP2 title, ranking behind Stoffel Vandoorne. The American driver is one of the many that is still in the cards for the Haas F1 Team seat next season.
He will be driving alongside Will Stevens in Singapore, Japan, the United States, Mexico and Brazil, but will not be in Russia or Abu Dhabi due to schedule conflicts between GP2 and Formula One. For the two races missed, Merhi will be making his return to the car.
This is not his first time in Formula One. He was a test driver for Caterham roughly two and a half seasons, before being contracted with Marussia as a test driver for the end of the 2014 season. However, the Singapore Grand Prix will be his first time participating in a Formula One race.
“Signing Alexander is a continuation of our proud record of providing young drivers with the opportunity to showcase their talents. We believe he will do a great job and look forward to seeing him race for the first time this weekend in Singapore,” Manor team principal, John Booth told the press. “It is also fantastic news for the sport that it will have an American driver again, particularly with the United States Grand Prix on our horizon and now two races in South America, in Mexico and Brazil. I know Alexander is very excited about that and we look forward to providing him with the opportunity to show the American public what he can do.”
Of course this new driver lineup for the rest of the season comes at a cost to current driver, Roberto Merhi: “While Roberto is obviously disappointed, he understands that this decision is in the long-term interests of the team and we thank him for his professionalism,” Booth reassured.
As you probably know, Alexander Rossi has been rumored to be joining the new Haas F1 Team during their debut season next year. The team owner, Gene Haas, had stated earlier in the year that he wanted an American driver to be on the team. Because this seat is only for the rest of the 2015 season, Rossi will still be a free agent at the end of the year, meaning he could still make the switch to the Haas F1 Team. In reality, this contract with Manor makes a move to Haas much more possible, as Rossi can collect some driving time in a Formula One car prior to the 2016 season.
Despite the fact that the Manor team is small and relatively uncompetitive, this contract is still a vital stepping stone in Rossi’s Formula One career. “This is a small F1 team that has been through so much,” said Alexander Rossi. “They exemplify passion and true strength of character, and their comeback this season is extraordinary. I’m honored to be part of this legacy and their continued growth and success.”
With the next round of the championship in just a few days in Singapore, he surely has a lot of work to do to prepare for his debut. “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.”
