Manor Marussia F1: Roberto Merhi about to be appointed?
The Manor team is in Melbourne but has not yet confirmed the identity of its second driver, who will team up with Will Stevens. Spaniard Roberto Merhi is expected.
Already on the short-list of contenders for the second Manor Marussia seat, alongside Will Stevens, Roberto Merhi seems to be the best positioned to compete in his first race weekend with the team saved from the brink.
According to independent journalist Adam Cooper, Manor has indeed applied for a Super License for Roberto Mehri. The Spaniard, who was the third driver for Caterham in 2014, took part in three free practice 1 sessions last season at Monza, Suzuka, and Sochi, and currently holds only a Friday driving permit.
At 23, Mehri has a solid background with a victory in the European F3 in 2011, followed by a stint in DTM. Last year, he finished 3rd in the FR 3.5 Championship of the World Series by Renault, behind the reigning Champion, Carlos Sainz Jr, and just a few points behind the runner-up, Pierre Gasly. For 2015, he announced a few days ago a commitment to FR 3.5.
Roberto Merhi’s agent is former British Formula 1 driver Mark Blundell.
