The Manor Racing F1 team has named Alexander Rossi as its official reserve driver, ensuring that the American will have a full program in 2016.
Rossi was recently confirmed in an Andretti Indycar race seat after failing to hold on to the Manor drive, but he has found a way to maintain a link with the team he started five Grands Prix with last season.
Rossi will attend 11 F1 races, starting with the Russian GP in May. The fact that the US season ends early makes it easier for him to travel to the F1 events later in the year. The team says that he will “contribute to team and partner marketing activities and be available to deputize should he be required to compete at short notice.”
“I’ve invested most of my career in F1 and I’m not one to kick my heels and wait for things to happen,” said Rossi. “So this is my way of staying sharp and prepared. It was disappointing to miss out on a race seat with Manor Racing this year; everyone knows I pushed and worked hard for it. As Official Reserve Driver though, I have a very complimentary dual program at the highest level of motor sport.
“I also have the privilege of racing with a championship winning team, Andretti Autosport. I’m confident this experience will add to my role as a very important cog in an F1 team’s wheel.
“My schedule this year is demanding, but no more than a full time F1 schedule. I will attend 11 Grands Prix, only five of which take place during the IndyCar season, and I am certainly used to the travel demands of the F1 calendar. It’s great to be back with a team I know and with whom I share a mutual respect and passion for the sport we love.”
“The fact that he’s racing full time in the IndyCar Series this year was simply a challenge to be overcome,” said Manor racing director Dave Ryan. “Something we’re pretty good at. We need a safe pair of hands for the role, which always carries the potential to have to step up to race, but also someone who can really contribute to the development of the car.
“For Alex, F1 is still unfinished business. He did a great job when he drove for us in five of last season’s races and he’s a highly rated and valuable part of our line-up. He does have one heck of a schedule ahead of him and it’s a commitment that only the most disciplined of drivers would be able to manage. We’re confident he’s the man for the job.”
Although the team has always said that Rio Haryanto has his race seat for the whole season, there have been suggestions that the Indonesian's funding might not guarantee that he keeps his role.
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