Marussia reserve driver Alexander Rossi will make his Formula 1 race debut Oct 12 at the inaugural Russian Grand Prix as a substitute for the injured Jules Bianchi.
Bianchi remains in intensive care after suffering a severe head injury when he collided with a recovery vehicle during last weekend's race in Japan.
While Marussia have yet to formally announce Rossi's drive, they have registered the American rookie as one of their two eligible drivers for this weekend's race at the Sochi Autodrom alongside Max Chilton.
The 23-year-old Rossi has already driven for the team twice during Grand Prix weekends, competing in practice at Montreal, Canada, and Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.
Alongside Rossi, there will be two driver changes for the first practice session Friday. Russia's Sergey Sirotkin will drive for Sauber, thereby making his Grand Prix weekend debut on home soil, while Roberto Merhi will once again drive for Caterham, the third time he has contested a practice session for the team this season.
