American Alexander Rossi joins F1 team Manor Marussia, will compete in

No-one was more surprised than Alexander Rossi when he got the call from the Manor Marussia team saying he would make his Formula One debut at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

The American, now second in that series behind runaway leader Stoffel Vandoorne of Belgium, will be the first USA driver on the Formula One grid since Scott Speed competed for Toro Rosso in 2007.

The team have confirmed that the driver will also race for them in Japan, Mexico, Brazil and the United States.

“I flew on Monday and when I arrived, the team gave me the news I would not be driving and Rossi would be in my place”, Merhi told reporters ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

Rossi was a reserve driver for Manor Marussia in the later stages of the 2014 season.

However, Rossi’s GP2 commitments mean he will concentrate on F1’s support series during the Russian and Abu Dhabi GP weekends, in which Merhi will take part.

“The big thing I’ve been missing for about three years in my F1 career is actually racing”.

The American went on to explain his view on the club: “This is a small F1 team that has been through so much”. “I’m honoured to be part of this legacy and their continued growth and success”.

Manor team principal John Booth said he believed Rossi would “do a great job”. He needs to find his feet again with the auto this weekend, but I am sure he will do a good job and I am looking forward to working with him in the five races he is going to do for the rest of the year.

“No decision has been made regarding our 2016 driver line-up and we will continue to evaluate our options during the remainder of the season”. Both Merhi and teammate Will Stevens have been the slowest two drivers out of the 20-car field at every Grand Prix, simply because the auto itself isn’t advanced enough to match the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams and Red Bull. Starting at Singapore will also be a huge test for Rossi, given the grueling heat at the Marina Bay circuit in September.

“Having Austin come on the calendar, we have already seen the progress that has come, and having an American team is only going to take that further, and an American driver is the final bit of the puzzle so hopefully fans will get behind it”, he said.