Lopez and Rossiter linked to USF1

Jose Maria Lopez to be confirmed by USF1 at the end of this month, James Rossiter also in the frame.

05 Jan 2010

Speculation continues that former Renault F1 test driver Jose Maria Lopez will drive for the new USF1 team in 2010 - and now it is thought that he could team up with ex-Honda and Super Aguri man, James Rossiter.

According to reports from Argentina, Lopez, who penned a conditional deal back in November, has now secured around $8 million in sponsorship to ensure he drives for the Charlotte-based outfit this year.

Although the Argentine driver has spent recent seasons competing in touring cars and GT racing, USF1 sporting director, Peter Windsor is apparently confident he can get the former GP2 man a super licence.

"Later this month I am going to go to North Carolina for the official presentation of the team and if need be some checks on the car before the official February tests in Valencia," Lopez told lavoz.com.ar.

Lopez's manager, Felipe McGough, is hopeful his man will get the nod to race: "In the last few weeks we made much progress, but the holidays were a complication. All is well though," he added to speedtv.com.

"They are sensitive contracts. We must have patience. The idea is that the team makes the announcement."

Meanwhile Rossiter has been linked to the second seat - and he has a fair bit of F1 experience having been apart of BAR Honda's F1 young driver programme in 2004 and 2005, as well as acting as an official Honda F1 test driver from 2006-2008.

For the record, USF1 is currently the only outfit not to have signed at least one driver for the 2010 F1 season.