Racing Engineering takes Spanish pride into GP2.

Racing Engineering chose the picturesque backdrop of the Costa Ballena Golf Club, near C?diz, to officially unveil its GP2 squad ahead of this week's formal series launch, and revealed a truly Spanish assault on the new championship.

With the exception of highly-rated Swiss driver Neel Jani and associate backer Red Bull, the majority of the team hails from Spain, including principal Alfonso de Orleans-Borbon, second driver Borja Garcia and sponsors Repsol and Telefonica.

"Participating in the GP2 Series is opening a new chapter in the history of Racing Engineering," de Orleans-Borbon insisted, "We are proud to enter into this championship together with Repsol and Telefonica, two Spanish companies known for their support in high-level competition, and their trust in us."

Jani joins the team having been a frontrunner in the past two Formula Renault V6 championships, while Garcia graduates as Spanish F3 champion, having taken the crown with Racing Engineering.

"Before anything, I would like to thank our sponsors and Racing Engineering for their support in having me drive in the GP2 Series, which is just one step from Formula One," said the Spaniard, who has been tipped by many as a dark horse for 2005, "I am very proud to be in this championship and, as a Spaniard, to be part of a Spanish team, backed by Repsol and Telefonica, the two most important Spanish companies."

Jani, meanwhile, heads to this week's group test and official launch buoyed by a recent outing in Red bull Racing's F1 car.

"Even though I have tested a Formula One car twice before [with Sauber], that was still an exciting two days for me," the Swiss ace said of his outing in Barcelona, "The last morning was especially exciting, as the track was wet and very slippery. I was amazed at how much grip and stability the cars still have in these conditions.

"I felt fit and capable of driving an F1 car, and now I am really looking forward to the GP2 season. I think there is a lot of potential in Racing Engineering's combination of team, drivers and sponsors. We are working very hard to get everything ready for the first race and, so far, everything works as planned."