Marussia has announced that it has signed young British hopeful Will Stevens to its 2014 roster of official reserve drivers, alongside Alexander Rossi.

23 year old Stevens, currently competing in the World Series Formula Renault 3.5 Championship, joins the Team with effect from this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. As part of his role, he will take part in a number of Free Practice 1 sessions during the remainder of the season.

Stevens began his motorsport career in karts aged 11 and was widely recognised as one of the top karters in the world by 2008. The following year he transitioned to Formula Renault 2.0 and spent three years in that category, notching up race wins in both the UK Series and the Eurocup. He then made the big step up to World Series by Renault in 2012.

He kicked off the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 series with a commanding win in Monza and continues to challenge for wins in the formula that saw Kevin Magnussen crowned champion last season.

Prior to this role, Stevens has completed two F1 tests with Caterham - the 2013 Young Driver Test and the Silverstone Test this summer. Together with Rossi, Stevens is on hand throughout the remainder of the season to deputise for either race driver in the event that they are unable to compete.

"I'm really thrilled to be given this opportunity by the Marussia F1 Team," said Stevens. "They are a great team, with enormous potential, and I'm so happy to be joining them at this exciting time in their development. Off the back of my F1 tests with Caterham, I can't wait to get my first taste of the MR03. I'm looking forward to rewarding their faith in me and to making a positive contribution to our progress in the 2014 championship, and beyond."

"Will is a driver we have been watching since he arrived in Formula Renault," added John Booth. "We have admired his ability to learn quickly and compete in the thick of the action, so we are very pleased to add him to our roster of Official Reserve Drivers, which is now looking very strong indeed. It is great to be able to take such promising talents as Will and Alexander under our wing and help them progress to the next level. We look forward to seeing Will perform in the MR03, when I am sure he will demonstrate some further signs of his obvious potential."

Unfortunately Stevens planned participation in today's opening practice session has been thwarted by what is understood to be a "paperwork issue".

Check out our Friday gallery, here.