Ex-Formula 1 driver to race Down Under

1 year ago 60

Journeyman racer Roberto Merhi has confirmed his spot connected the grid for the S5000 season-opener astatine Symmons Plains.

The Spaniard, who contested the lion's stock of the 2015 Formula 1 season, volition instrumentality Down Under to articulation Garry Rogers Motorsport astatine Race Tasmania.

Merhi made 13 starts for the Manor Marussia team, finishing a career-best 12th successful the British Grand Prix.

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He was besides a trial and reserve operator for Caterham successful 2014, making his expansive prix play debut successful a signifier league successful Italy.

Merhi has a wealthiness of acquisition globally, competing successful single-seaters and sports car racing.

However, the Australian-made S5000 is dissimilar thing Merhi has driven.

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The car is powered by a naturally-aspirated, quad-cam, Ford Coyote V8 making 420 kW (560 hp).

While astir single-seaters are loaded with downforce, the car has a comparatively tiny beforehand helping and nary rear diffuser.

The car's plan harks backmost to the Formula 5000 epoch betwixt 1960s and 1980s.

Tasmania volition people the 2nd S5000 cameo for Merhi, who raced successful the two-part S5000 Tasman Series successful 2021 astatine Sydney Motorsport Park and Mount Panorama.

"I americium precise blessed to travel backmost to S5000 unneurotic with GRM," Merhi said.

"I person precise bully memories from my clip there. Last clip I was successful Australia was 2021 and I was beauteous adjacent to winning the Tasman Series.

"I americium looking guardant to jumping successful the car again and it volition besides beryllium a caller way for me, which is ever challenging.

"I volition effort to bash my champion and accommodate rapidly to the car and the circuit again."

Marhi joins a steadfast S5000 grid led by two-time Australian Drivers' Championship victor Joey Mawson and 2021 S5000 Tasman Series victor Aaron Cameron.

Nic Carroll has besides confirmed his spot alongside Jordan Boys, Zane Goddard, Mark Rosser, Cooper Webster, Blake Purdie and Matt McLean.

The opening SpeedSeries round, Race Tasmania, astatine Symmons Plains takes spot connected February 24-26.

The play volition beryllium headlined by the TCR Australia Series with enactment from the National Trans Am Series, Touring Car Masters, Hyundai Excels, and Tin Tops.

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