Lopez signs a deal with USF1 to drive in 2010

Argentinian José Maria Lopez revealed to the press today that an agreement with US F1 has been reached for the 2010 F1 season. The South American driver would thus have priority if he manages to bring in enough sponsors.

Lopez visited the leaders of US F1 (US GPE) this weekend in Charlotte to sign a conditional contract with co-owners Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson. On his website, the Argentine specifies that he is close to an agreement with the American team and that his sponsorship contracts will soon all be signed. He is already confirmed as the first official driver of US F1.

« Until now, we had only been speaking on the phone, but as of today, we have clarified things. I visited and personally spoke to Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson about my contract. We reached a verbal agreement that will likely be signed next week. »

Peter Windsor also confirmed the Argentine’s words, stating that an agreement with the 26-year-old driver was very close to being reached: Until we have signed the contract, we cannot reveal the details of the negotiations. What I can say is that I have deep respect for Jose Maria [Lopez] as a person and as a driver. He has a lot of experience and great motivation because he has never been able to demonstrate his talent on the track, the American stated.

« I would be very happy if he could race with us next year. He is not just like a potential candidate. He is a serious candidate. We are interested in him and we would like to have him with us. Nevertheless, things in motorsport change very quickly and I couldn’t add anything else for now other than we’d like to sign the contract as soon as possible. »

José Maria Lopez was a test driver for Renault during the return of the diamond in F1. He also raced in F3000 and GP2 between 2004 and 2006, winning a race in 2005 with DAMS. Since 2006, Lopez has returned to the South American continent where he races in GT. The Argentine is confident about his performance with US F1 in 2010, even though he knows the team won’t be at its best: « It’s a new team, and my experience will be very different from that with Renault – which was not unknown in F1. »

« Nevertheless, I am confident about the performances. We got to visit the wind tunnel and see a model of the 2010 F1 car that I might drive. I admit to being impressed by so much professionalism. »

Sébastien Bourdais, Scott Speed, Will Power, Jonathan Summerton, and Jacques Villeneuve are still potential candidates for the two available seats at US F1 for 2010.