Swiss driver Alex Fontana will make his Formula Renault 3.5 Series debut this weekend in Monaco, taking over the seat of Roberto Merhi, who will be racing in Formula 1 with his Manor F1 Team.
Fontana, who is racing in the GP3 Series for a third full season in 2015 for Status Grand Prix, tested a Formula Renault 3.5 Series car during the winter before ultimately returning to GP3, and will drive the #40 Pons Racing machine around the streets of Monte Carlo.
“First of all, I’m delighted that Roberto was confirmed in Formula 1,” said Pons Racing Team Manager Emilio de Villota. “As Pons Racing, our main goal is driver development and seeing Merhi rise to the occasion in F.1 makes us proud.
“The conjunction of the two series provided us the chance to meet with Alex Fontana. He impressed us in pre-season testing and we have been in contact with him throughout the winter.
“I’m sure he will merge with the team straight away and will take the best out of the chance to run in an excellent environment like the Monte-Carlo Grand Prix.”