Zoom De la Rosa aiming for the 2010 grid

McLaren test and reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa will return to the Grand Prix grid next year thanks to a two-year deal with the new Campos Meta team, according to a report from Spanish daily AS which appeared on Saturday.

The Spanish operation should confirm its hiring of the 38-year-old next month during the European Grand Prix weekend in Valencia.

The Campos team wished to bring aboard an experienced driver for its maiden foray into F1, and with 72 Grand Prix participations to his name and eagerness for more, it is no secret that de la Rosa always had the intention of racing again.

After battling on the tracks for Arrows and Jaguar, he secured his current position with McLaren and has been patiently looking for openings ever since. The Spaniard was previously rumoured to be lined up with Prodrive's F1 project, but that fell through in 2008 and again this year when its inscription for 2010 was rejected by the FIA.

Under consideration for the second Campos seat, speculation points at Brazilian Bruno Senna and Mexican Sergio Perez.

Daniel BASTIEN
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