Phil Blanche, Press Association Sport

Manor have signed Fabio Leimer as an official reserve driver for the remainder of the 2015 Formula One season.

The 26-year-old Swiss, a former Formula Master series champion, won the 2013 GP2 Series and the GP2 Final in 2011. 

Leimer will join the British team at selected races and work closely with Manor’s engineers while covering race drivers Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi in the event they could not compete for any reason. 

‘I’m very excited to have the chance to drive the car in selected FP1s,’ Leimer told the official Manor website.

‘But I am also looking forward to spending a lot of time trackside with the team, contributing my observations and experience in engineering situations and also learning about the team and a Formula 1 operation.

‘It’s a huge step for me and I can’t wait to get started and hopefully reward the team’s confidence in me.’

The former Formula Master series champion won the 2013 GP2 Series and the GP2 Final in 2011

The former Formula Master series champion won the 2013 GP2 Series and the GP2 Final in 2011

Manor team principal John Booth said: ‘We always keep a close eye on drivers competing in the feeder series and their potential for making the step up to Formula One.

‘Fabio has been on that radar for a number of years, so we’re pleased to give him the opportunity to progress as he is a very talented driver and certainly deserving of this opportunity.’

 

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