America’s Alexander Rossi Joins Marussia F1 Team As Reserve Driver

Having already done testing duties for the likes of Caterham and Force India, America’s Alexander Rossi has now been signed by rival Formula One team Marussia as its new reserve driver. It’s not clear why Rossi left Caterham to join Marussia, as both teams are backmarkers, but we know the 22-year-old’s departure from the British squad happened immediately after the team was sold to new Swiss and Middle Eastern investors.

Rossi was already with Marussia at last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix and at present he is signed on for the remainder of the season. Should either of Murussia’s current drivers Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton be unable to compete at a subsequent event, Rossi will take their seat.

In a statement, Rossi said his goal remains to attain a seat in F1. Should he achieve that goal, he’ll be the first American driver in the sport since Scott Speed’s stint with Scuderia Toro Rosso ended in 2007. With any luck, we’ll see him racing in 2016 for a new American team backed by Gene Haas.

«Today is a good day and next step in my Formula One career,” Rossi said. “My goal is Formula One, and I’m delighted to be immersed into the [Marussia] team as official reserve driver, where I have the opportunity to prepare for this next step, with plans to drive in free practice this season.”

Marussia has just two points in the 2014 Constructors’ Championship, the same as its top driver Jules Bianchi in the Drivers’ Championship. The team, which is based in the U.K., was formed in 2007 by Russian racing driver Nikolay Fomenko as the motorsport arm of Russian sports car brand Marussia Motors. The sports car brand was disbanded earlier this year but the F1 team has continued with backing from a separate entity called Marussia Communications.