READ: Max Chilton says he volunteered to relinq🌟uish Maruss༺ia seat

Marussia has announced that Alexander Rossi will replace Max Chilton in the team ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at S꧒pa🍃-Francorchamps.

The🧜 American will join Jules♑ Bianchi in the line-up just a matter of weeks after 'transferring' from Caterham to act as test and reserve driver.

According to Marussia, Chilton has been stood down while 'contractual issues' are resolved, although the official statement does🌳 not go into specifics.

"Although it was not our intention to offer Alexander the possibility to race thi🐷s season, in light of the circumstances we are pleased to be providing him with the opportunity to make his grand prix debut at this weekend's ꦉBelgian Grand Prix," team principal John Booth commented.

"Naturally, we hope to resume normal service with respect to our established race driver line-up as soon as possible bu💟t, for now, we wish Alexander well for the weekend ahead and we look forward to seeing him in action."

Rossi had previously taken part in a number of Friday morning practice sessions with Caterham, but is delighted to have the chance to r💯ace in the top flight after several years of campaigning in GP2.

"It goes without saying that I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to race in F1 for the first time, and I cannot thank the Marussia F1 Team enough for t🤪he faith they are demonstrating in me," he said, "It's a very big moment for me and there's a 𒈔lot to prepare in a short space of time but, on the other hand, I have felt ready for this for quite a while now.

"It is also exciting to be given this opportunity at such a fantastic and historical circuit as Spa-Francorchamps. I can't wait to drive the MR03 from tomorrow and I ho🐭pe to reward the team with a solid race weekend."

The news comes just a day after Caterham confirmed Lotterer will also co🧸mpete at Spa-Francorchamps, meaning two drivers will be making their♍ F1 debut this weekend.

Ro꧅ssi will be the first American driver to start an F1 race since Scott Speed brought his tenure with Scuderia Toro Rosso to a premature end after the 2007 European Grand Prix.