Official: José-Maria Lopez becomes first US F1 driver

We announced it to you a few days ago, José-Maria Lopez has become the first driver officially confirmed by the US GPE team for the 2010 season. The former Renault reserve driver had been anticipated to join the American team for a few weeks already.

The Argentine driver had announced several weeks ago that he had signed a promise of employment from the US F1 team – one of the four new teams for the 2010 season. Nothing had been officially confirmed yet, but the rumor was intensifying by the hour.

On Monday, Lopez announced on his website an imminent announcement of appointment. It was not made on Monday, but today, Tuesday.

Jose-Maria Lopez, originally from Argentina, made his debut in Formula 1 in 2003 as a test driver for the Renault team for three seasons. Without any real opportunities and having covered few kilometers, he returned to Argentina the following year.

In 2005, he will win a GP2 race in Barcelona and revive his career. Often victorious in Karting, notably thanks to the Renault Italy championships, he catches the eye of Peter Windsor, Deputy Director of the American team US F1.

« It’s a memorable day for me, my family, and Argentina, » confides Lopez. « Of course, it’s a new team with little experience, but our goal is to improve from race to race and ultimately fight for the title. It’s great, and I can never thank Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson enough. »

Peter Windsor, for his part, commented on the career of the Argentine – whom he admits to following for several seasons: « Signing with ‘Pechito’ Lopez has been one of our long-term goals since we knew about our entry for 2010 in Formula 1. We have been following him since he dominated the Renault V6 championship in 2003. He has real strength of character and leadership talent. »