Merhi was parachuted in to join Yoshiaki Katayama aboard the LeMans Audi from May's second round of the season at Fuji Speedway onwards, replacing Japanese motorsport legend Satoshi Motoyama.
The duo achieved a best finish of fifth in August's Suzuka race, but their chances of scoring points again after that were hampered by a succession of mechanical issues, including a loose wheel in last weekend's Motegi finale.
