Jaguar confirms Burti departure.

Jaguar Racing today confirmed that Luciano Burti is joining Prost Grand Prix, and will be replaced in the Jaguar line-up by current test driver Pedro de la Rosa.

The Spaniard will make his racing debut alongside Eddie Irvine at his grand prix next week, in Barcelona. All changes are with immediate effect, and Burti tested for the Prost team this afternoon.

"I want to wish Luciano the very best for the future," said Jaguar Racing team principal Bobby Rahal. "He has made a valuable contribution to this team and our appreciation for his services cannot be overstated. He is a tremendous young man who has a great future ahead of him in Formula One."

Speaking from Silverstone circuit in the UK, where Jaguar Racing and Prost Grand Prix are testing, de la Rosa spoke of the 'wonderful opportunity' that he had been given to resurrect his grand prix career just months after being axed by the Arrows team.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for me and lays to rest the speculation that has surrounded my recent movements in Formula One," he said, "I came to Jaguar Racing because the long term potential in the team is obvious, and I believe Bobby Rahal and the team are fully focused on the job in hand. I must emphasise the crucial role that Bobby has played in the negotiations that have brought me to this point. There was a lot of hard work that went on behind the scenes and Bobby was instrumental in pulling this deal off. Since joining the team I have had an excellent relationship with Luciano and I'd like to extend my very best wishes to him for the future."

"It's great to have Pedro on-board and I'm confident in his ability to do an excellent job for us," Rahal commented, "He has already demonstrated his capability in the car, albeit as our test driver so far this year, and I'm sure he will acquit himself well at Barcelona - a circuit he knows very well, of course."