Manor is the only outfit on the grid yet to confirm its driver line-up for the 2016 Formula 1 season. It's believed there are several candidates chasing the two vacant seats and American Alexander Rossi is hopeful of securing one of them.
Rossi raced for Manor in the five of the final seven races of the '15 season, dividing his time between F1 and his GP2 duties. He impressed massively, finishing runner-up to GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne whilst beating his more experienced Manor team-mate Will Stevens in four of his five races.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Rossi admitted talks with Manor are ongoing on a daily basis, but expects a positive outcome.
"Talks are every day," he said. "I think the deadline is really when cars roll in Barcelona in a couple of weeks.
"Things sometimes get pushed out in this sport and it is something I am used to and hopefully it doesn't go on to much longer. Things are looking positive and hopefully we get it done very soon."
As well as Rossi and Stevens, it's believed Merhi, Mercedes reserve Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto and chasing a seat with the team, which is expected to make major gains following its engine deal with Mercedes, its powertrain deal with Williams and its various technical signings over the winter.
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