Alexander Rossi picks 53 as permanent F1 number

  • Published on 17 Sep 2015 15:40
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Alexander Rossi has selected 53 as his permanent race number ahead of his F1 debut in Singapore this weekend. The Californian GP2 front-runner, who is replacing Manor regular Roberto Merhi at five of the remaining grands prix this season, told reporters he actually selected the number 16. "That's the number I used in many kart races," he is quoted by Speed Week. "But it turns out that is a reserve number for Red Bull. So I chose 53 as I am able to make a cool logo from it."

He laughed when asked if he will have to pay Disney for use of the number, as it was used in the Herbie film series. "I hope not!" said Rossi. What may ultimately appear on the Manor car are Rossi's sponsors that, according to speculation, have paid for his seat, but the 23-year-old said only: "That question will be answered in Austin."

He said the race deal came about very quickly. "On Tuesday morning I booked the flight and a few hours later I was on the plane," Rossi smiled. "The talks had begun shortly after Monza." Merhi, sidelined for now, said he flew into Singapore on Monday, and heard the news then. "Now, these days, budget is really important and it is really hard to find," the rookie Spaniard said.

Rossi continued: "I don't feel like a newcomer to the team, as we were already together in 2014. Since then we never broke off contact, but to be honest I didn't expect to be racing in F1 this year." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Mar 22 1991 (33)
  • Place of b. Castellon, ES
  • Weight 76 kg
  • Length 1.79 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar