American Rossi gets GP2 Asia ride

At a press conference hosted in the presence of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President and President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, Malaysian motorsports ambassadors Malaysia.QI-Meritus.Mahara.com announced the appointment of the rising US star Alexander Rossi as a driver. He will become Luca Filippi's team mate, supporting the team's participation at the second race of the third GP2 Asia season at the newly built Yas Marina Circuit.

Alexander Rossi commented: "I want to thank Peter Thompson, President and team founder of MalaysiaQI-MeritusMaharaGP.com and its chairman Raad S. Abduljawad for giving me the chance to compete for the rest of the season. I am very confident of the team’s abilities to prepare a race winning car. I am very much looking forward to getting back to work in Abu Dhabi. My goals are simple – 'to do what it takes to win.' I feel that I can deliver because this team is one of continual strength and determination."

Peter Thompson, President and team founder commented, "I am delighted that Luca Filippi will partner with such an talented new team mate for the second race of the season. Alexander Rossi already knows the track because he competed there in the first race of the season when he collected a 4th and 5th place. He also won the Formula BMW America championship and Formula BMW World in 2008, something he followed up by becoming the best rookie in Formula Masters last season. Luca knows the team very well and has already done a fantastic job in the first race of the season giving the team a second place on the podium. Alexander is an extremely promising young talent and we hope that he will race very quickly be able to convert his determination and eagerness to win into points and honors. I am really confident that with these two drivers we will be able to put up a really good fight for podiums and wins."

Chairman Raad S. Abduljawad adds, "As an 18-year-old Alexander Rossi has entered 91 professional races to date in his young career. In that he has been on the podium 42 times and won 32 races, amongst other statistics. We hope that this winning trend will continue with us this season." (press release)