Rossi and Merhi taken by surprise by Manor

Alexander Red had to urgently prepare for his debut in F1 with Manor, the British team having not made the announcement of his arrival in place of Roberto Merhi that this Wednesday, September 16. The resident of Racing Engineering in the GP2 Series, who occupies 2nd place in the Drivers' ranking, will have five races to prove himself and hope for a full-time drive for 2016, even if Haas F1 Team does not seem to be considering having an American driver.

“The problem is that I haven’t competed in F1 in the last three years. I have been close to it on several occasions and what is happening is surreal », commented the new recruit of Manor F1 Team in the paddock of the Singapore GP. “No matter the opportunity, I jump at it with open arms. I don’t know what this will lead to, but I hope to prove myself by proving what I am capable of. »

Roberto Merhi will only have the Grand Prix of Russia (October 9 to 11) and Abu Dhabi (November 27 to 29) to shine. « I arrived on Monday and it was only then that the team told me that I would not be driving and that Rossi would take my place for four or five races out of the remaining seven”, added the Spaniard. “I remain in the unknown for the next season. I will try to find the best possible solution for an F1 steering wheel, but the budget has become very important and it is hard to find something. »