Pedro de la Rosa signs with HRT

Formula 1 veteran Pedro de la Rosa will return to Formula 1 racing with HRT next season after signing a two-year deal with the squad.

The 40-year-old Spaniard is currently a reserve driver for McLaren, but said he was determined to return to racing.

"This is a very important step in my sporting career and one of the most meditated-on ones I've taken," said de la Rosa. "I'm at a very good stage in terms of maturity and am prepared to take on this challenge, which motivates me hugely.

"When deciding on joining this project, for me there were three decisive factors: my desire to return to active competition, the fact that HRT is a Spanish team and getting to know the people leading this project, Luis Perez-Sala being among them."