Merhi, who contested the 2015 Formula 1 season, currently drives Manor's #45 Oreca 05-Nissan in the World Endurance Championship and has scored his and the team's maiden LMP2 podium at Spa-Francorchamps.

With only the #44 Manor car entered into the 24 Hours of Le Mans, however, Merhi was set to miss out, as Tor Graves, Matt Rao and Will Stevens have been initially named as the British team's line-up for the prestigious race.

However, with Stevens loaned out to G-Drive for the race, replacing Nathanael Berthon, the resulting free spot in the #44 roster has went to Merhi.

Neither move is permanent, with Stevens and Merhi set to return to the #44 and #45 respectively for the rest of the WEC campaign after Le Mans.