Roberto Merhi will drive the Manor F1 in Australia

After an eight year journey in motorsport and after many years of karting, Spaniard Roberto Merhi will achieve this weekend, in Australia, one of his greatest dreams: competing in his first Grand Prix. It will be at the wheel of of the more modest car’s on the grid, Manor, a team that has relied on the Castellon-born driver for their re-entry into the Grand Prix Circus.

In fact, Roberto is not unknown to John Booth’s team since this was his team in 2009, when they joined forces to compete in the F3 Euroseries. Then Roberto surprised everybody with his great performances despite his lack of experience, including a podium in his career debut at Hockenheim. Later Merhi would end up taking the Championship win and then spending two years in the DTM as an official driver for Mercedes, before returning in 2014 to his successful career in single-seaters. Six years later, team and driver meet again to write a new chapter of their history. In principle, Roberto will be in the opening Grand Prix of the season, but a sponsor that will help the team is essential to be able to continue with the team in the medium term,.

Roberto, who is already in Australia, will begin today to prepare for the race at Albert Park with a seat fitting, he will be the fourteenth Spanish driver in the Formula 1 Grand Prix story.

Roberto Merhi: “Today, finally, I can announce something that I have dreamt about many times, and that has seemed so far away: racing in Formula 1, up until now I have only been able to run in the Free Practice sessions. Within five days, I will be F1 driver and it is time to thank the many people who have spent many years supporting me, both inside, and outside racing, and of course the Manor team who are old friends who have trusted in my to start this new stage that I hope I will bring them many successes. I know that we won’t have the means to fight with other teams on equal footing, using a 2014 car and power unit but, with all humility, I’m sure we will strive to give the best of ourselves. I don’t want to forget Jules Bianchi, he drove this car last season, and he is a driver for whom I have great respect. Finally, I hope that this race will open the door to continue during the season. I need a sponsor if I want to continue, but unfortunately in Spain, I am not finding support. Hopefully this will help me to change this situation and face the future with more security.”