Melbourne, March 10 (IANS): Spaniard Roberto Merhi will make his Formula 1 debut this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix after being confirmed as Marussia's second driver for the "opening rounds" of the 2015 season.

Merhi has previous experience of F1, having driven for Caterham in three practice sessions in 2014. The 23-years-old has won the 2011 European Formula 3 crown and finished third in last year's Formula Renault 3.5 championship.

"I am incredibly excited to be making my Formula 1 debut in Melbourne this weekend. It is a big responsibility but I feel ready to make this step in my career and to show that I can make an important contribution to developing a team," Merhi said.

Briton Will Stevens is the other Marussia driver.

Alongside Merhi, Marussia announced 21-year-old Briton Jordan King as their new development driver.

"I am obviously over the moon to be joining Marussia as a development driver. This is such an exciting project, full of great people and with a real chance of success. This is another great step closer to my ultimate goal of racing in Formula 1," said King.