Sidepodcast - All for F1 and F1 for all

F1 encyclopedia

Alexander Rossi

Formula 1 driver

Alexander Rossi
Credit: Caterham F1
Vital statistics for Alexander Rossi
NationalityUSA
BirthplaceAuburn, United States
Born25 September 1991
Age32
F1 debutSingapore, 2015
Driver number53

Alexander Rossi was initially confirmed as a reserve driver with Caterham. He participated in some Friday free practice sessions but moved to Marussia partway through the 2014 season. He was confirmed as a replacement for Max Chilton at the Belgian Grand Prix, but was ousted from the seat after just one practice session. Patience paid off and Rossi was granted five race towards the end of the 2015 season, making his official F1 debut in Singapore.

F1 biography

After participating in the GP2 series, Alexander Rossi looked set to make his debut in Formula One in some capacity with the US F1 team. Unfortunately, the outfit did not make it to the grid, leaving Rossi to find another entrance to the series.

He participated in some Young Driver Testing with BMW Sauber, and the mileage completed allowed him to earn his superlicence. He has since tested with Caterham, and was signed as their reserve driver for the 2012 and 2013 season, appearing in Friday Free Practice sessions.

Midway through 2014, Rossi announced his split with Caterham, moving on from the team after their purchase by an unidentified consortium of investors. After just a few weeks, it was confirmed that Rossi would be driving in place of Max Chilton for the Belgian Grand Prix, subbing for the Brit "while contractual issues are resolved." Unfortunately for Rossi, he completed only one Friday free practice session before the problems between Chilton and his team were resolved. Max took his car back, leaving Rossi to watch on from the sidelines.

Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix of 2015, Rossi was given the call to drive for the Manor team for five of the seven remaining races. He replaced Roberto Merhi in the car, making his debut at the night race. Unfortunately, Rossi was left embarrassed after crashing in his first practice session but he continued through the rest of the weekend unscathed.

For 2016, Rossi was once again left without an option in Formula One, so he instead moved to the IndyCar series in the US.