American Alexander Rossi will make his Formula One debut in Singapore this weekend after being handed a drive by Manor, the British team announced on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old Californian, who will team up alongside Will Stevens, has served as test driver for Manor since September, 2014.
After Singapore, Rossi will line up in four other races for the team this year — Japan, United States, Mexico and Brazil.
In Russia and the season-closing race in Abu Dhabi, Roberto Merhi will return, leaving Rossi to concentrate on GP2 where he is lying second in the championship to Belgium’s Stoffel Vandoorne.
Rossi becomes the first driver from the United States to compete in F1 since Torro Rosso’s Scott Speed in 2007.
Rossi appeared to be set for a drive at the Belgian Grand Prix, taking part in practice only to miss out on the race itself.
Manor team principal John Booth predicted a bright future for their new recruit, who is targeting a possible drive for Haas, the American team due to make its F1 debut next year.
Booth said: “We are delighted to sign Alexander as race driver. He is widely regarded as a driver who is on the cusp of an exciting F1 career and his current form in the GP2 Series has done much to reinforce his clear potential.”
