Alexander Rossi

Formula 1 driver

Vital statistics for Alexander Rossi
Nationality	USA
Birthplace	Auburn, United States
Born	25 September 1991
Age	31
F1 debut	Singapore, 2015
Driver number	53

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.

Filed under Formula 1 drivers

Date	Title
26/05/2017	F1 Debrief - Insanity personified in a circle
25/08/2014	F1 Debrief - We're not learning any lessons here
03/08/2014	July 2014 recap - Chaos and quiet in equal measure
05/03/2014	Take five - Fresh Friday faces
21/01/2014	Green day
11/01/2014	With two F1 seats remaining, who's in with a shot?
17/07/2013	Mclaren top the times as the Silverstone driver test gets underway
16/07/2013	The driver test at Silverstone 2013
17/11/2011	Abu Dhabi Young Driver test 2011 - Day 3 results
14/11/2011	Abu Dhabi Young Driver test 2011

Date	Title
11/04/2013	Bringing up the kids
09/11/2012	Tied up with a messy bow
28/09/2012	A Checo shaped hole in the wall

Related news

Date	Title
10/10/2014	Marussia to run one car during Russian Grand Prix weekend
22/08/2014	Alexander Rossi NOT set for Marussia debut this weekend
21/08/2014	Alexander Rossi set for Marussia debut this weekend
24/07/2014	Alexander Rossi signs as reserve driver at Marussia
16/07/2014	Rossi leaves Caterham as team cut staff numbers
21/01/2014	The 2014 grid is complete, with Caterham’s driver announcement
05/06/2013	Caterham unveil racing academy with six young drivers
17/04/2013	Heikki Kovalainen returns to Caterham F1
01/03/2013	Caterham sign Ma Qing Hua and Alexander Rossi as reserve drivers
08/11/2012	Red Bull and Lotus take their turns topping Young Driver test

Date	Title
23/07/2013	Where there's a will, there's a way

Mentions during live coverage

Date	Update
23/08/2014	The rear of the field has seen a handful of changes so far this weekend, with Kamui Kobayashi out at Caterham and André Lotterer in the car instead. At Marussia, Alexander Rossi had a glimpse of a race seat but Max Chilton was back in after just one session. No changes so far today, but it's still early.
22/08/2014	Alexander Rossi took part in FP1 but that's the end of his race weekend. Although he was supposed to be in for Max Chilton this weekend, the team have changed their minds again. More information available in this F1Minute update.
21/08/2014	Lotterer isn't the only super-sub this weekend, Marussia are also getting in on the action. They've drafted in Alexander Rossi to replace Max Chilton whilst "contractual issues" are sorted out. Rossi makes his debut just a month after joining the team and leaving behind Caterham.
21/08/2014	Surprise! Marussia F1 just dropped the news that Alexander Rossi will replace Max Chilton for all sessions this weekend.Max has apparently been sidelined until "contractual issues" have been resolved.
24/07/2014	Alexander Rossi, the reserve driver who recently bailed from duties at the struggling Caterham outfit, has today been confirmed as third driver for the Marussia F1 team. Credit: Marussia F1 Team Rossi is pleased to have found himself a new home in F1 so quickly."The timing of my affiliation with the team is perfect, especially beginning in Hungary before the summer break. My goal is Formula One, and I’m delighted to be immersed into the team as official reserve driver, where I have the opportunity to prepare for this next step, with plans to drive in Free Practice 1 this season."
17/07/2014	Yesterday was a pretty awful day for many involved in the Caterham F1, with a number of staff shown the door and test driver Alexander Rossi looking for a new ride in Formula 1.
07/06/2013	Alexander Rossi, in the commentary box for the Beeb, says he'll definitely be going back and telling that to Caterham.

Rankings gains and losses

Date	Reason	Points
04/08/2013	Going up the hill and generally being awesome at Goodwood.	+1
10/06/2013	Thought Rossi was very good on the BBC, helping out with commentary duties alongside James Allen during Free Practice. The one he wasn't driving in.	+2
13/08/2012	Getting involved with the Circuit of the Americas fashion show during Austin's Fashion Week.	+2