Alexander Rossi will make his Formula 1 debut for the Marussia F1 Team at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
The American will replace Max Chilton for round 12 of the 2014 season while "contractual issues are resolved".
Rossi was previously Caterham's F1 reserve driver but he parted company with the Leafield-based outfit prior to the German Grand Prix.
The 22-year-old also left the Caterham GP2 team, before filling in for Kimiya Sato at Campos Racing at the Hockenheimring.
However, ahead of the next race weekend in Hungary, he joined Marussia as the team's reserve driver and will now become the first American since Scott Speed in 2007 to compete in F1.
It will be his first time driving the Ferrari-powered MR03. "It goes without saying that I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to race in Formula 1 for the first time and I cannot thank the Marussia F1 Team enough for the faith they are demonstrating in me," he said.
"It’s a very big moment for me and there’s a lot to prepare in a short space of time, but on the other hand I have felt ready for this for quite a while now. It is also exciting to be given this opportunity at such a fantastic and historical circuit as Spa-Francorchamps.
"I can’t wait to drive the MR03 from tomorrow and I hope to reward the team with a solid race weekend."
Marussia team principal John Booth added: "Although it was not our intention to offer Alexander the possibility to race this season, in light of the circumstances we are pleased to be providing him with the opportunity to make his Grand Prix debut at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Franchorchamps.
"Naturally we hope to resume normal service with respect to our established race driver line-up as soon as possible, but for now we wish Alexander well for the weekend ahead and we look forward to seeing him in action."
Caterham, Rossi's former team, also have a new driver for this weekend. Andre Lotterer - former Jaguar F1 test driver and three-time Le Mans winner - replaces Kamui Kobayashi for the Belgian Grand Prix.
UPDATE: It was confirmed during first practice for the Belgian Grand Prix by Marussia that Chilton will return to his seat for FP2 and the rest of the weekend, denying Rossi his F1 debut.
The team formally applied to change their nominated driver on Friday morning and this was approved by the stewards, as was Marussia's request for Rossi to stay in the car for FP1.
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| © Marussia F1 Team |
Rossi was previously Caterham's F1 reserve driver but he parted company with the Leafield-based outfit prior to the German Grand Prix.
The 22-year-old also left the Caterham GP2 team, before filling in for Kimiya Sato at Campos Racing at the Hockenheimring.
However, ahead of the next race weekend in Hungary, he joined Marussia as the team's reserve driver and will now become the first American since Scott Speed in 2007 to compete in F1.
It will be his first time driving the Ferrari-powered MR03. "It goes without saying that I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to race in Formula 1 for the first time and I cannot thank the Marussia F1 Team enough for the faith they are demonstrating in me," he said.
"It’s a very big moment for me and there’s a lot to prepare in a short space of time, but on the other hand I have felt ready for this for quite a while now. It is also exciting to be given this opportunity at such a fantastic and historical circuit as Spa-Francorchamps.
"I can’t wait to drive the MR03 from tomorrow and I hope to reward the team with a solid race weekend."
Marussia team principal John Booth added: "Although it was not our intention to offer Alexander the possibility to race this season, in light of the circumstances we are pleased to be providing him with the opportunity to make his Grand Prix debut at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Franchorchamps.
"Naturally we hope to resume normal service with respect to our established race driver line-up as soon as possible, but for now we wish Alexander well for the weekend ahead and we look forward to seeing him in action."
Caterham, Rossi's former team, also have a new driver for this weekend. Andre Lotterer - former Jaguar F1 test driver and three-time Le Mans winner - replaces Kamui Kobayashi for the Belgian Grand Prix.
UPDATE: It was confirmed during first practice for the Belgian Grand Prix by Marussia that Chilton will return to his seat for FP2 and the rest of the weekend, denying Rossi his F1 debut.
The team formally applied to change their nominated driver on Friday morning and this was approved by the stewards, as was Marussia's request for Rossi to stay in the car for FP1.
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