Lopez set for USF1 drive

Argentinean racer Jose Maria Lopez is all set to be confirmed at the new USF1 team next week according to reports from Reuters.

Lopez is not particularly well known in Europe despite having contested the 2005 and 2006 GP2 seasons where he finished ninth and tenth overall with DAMS and Super Nova. He also tested with Renault in 2006 but more recently has competed in the Argentinean touring car championship, taking the title both in 2008 and 2009.

“Everything has been agreed and the official announcement will be made on Monday," spokesman Miguel Mattos told Reuters.

Lopez and his management team reportedly signed an agreement with USF1 back in November on the provision that they could secure an estimated US $8m in personal sponsorship to complete the deal.

Should the deal be confirmed, the team will still have one vacant cockpit for the coming season and Lopez will conduct the team’s first test in Alabama next month.