Singapore GP: Rookie Rossi to make F1 debut

Singapore - American Alexander Rossi will make his Formula 1 debut when he races for Manor in Singapore this weekend (September 19-20), the team announced on Wednesday (September 16).

The 23-year-old, who will team up alongside Will Stevens, has been a test driver for Manor since September, 2014.

Four more races lined up

After Singapore, Rossi will line-up in four other races for the team in 2015 -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.

Reunited. I am so thankful to make my F1 comeback with @ManorF1Team. Let's get to work and finally....go racing. ???? pic.twitter.com/6A31POktC9

— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) September 16, 2015

Rossi becomes the first driver from the United States to compete in F1 since Torro Rosso's Scott Speed in 2007.

Read: 2015 Singapore GP by the numbers

Rossi appeared to be set for a drive at the 2015 Belgian GP, taking part in practice only to miss out on the race itself.

Haas back in 2016

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 in 2016.

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."