Campos to change name to Hispania Racing F1 team

Campos Meta 1 intends to change its name to Hispania Racing F1 Team before the start of the 2010 season next weekend.

Jose Ramon Carabante, who had already been the team president, took over the outfit from former Minardi driver Adrian Campos last month.

Grupo Hispania is the name of 57-year-old Spaniard Carabante's company.

The Spanish newspaper Diario AS said the name change, which must be approved formally by the sport's authorities, will be unveiled officially on Thursday in the Spanish city of Murcia.

It is believed the event could also see the unveiling of the Dallara-built car's livery and the announcement of Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok as its drivers.

France's Auto Hebdo said the former Prost, Sauber and Honda engineer Jacky Eeckelaert, who worked with new team boss Colin Kolles at Le Mans last year, will also be revealed as being a part of the team.

Hispania was the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula, including modern-day Portugal, Spain, Andorra, Gibraltar and some of France.

Source: Motorsport

New Campos bosses tell Senna his seat is safe

Bruno Senna met with the new bosses of the Campos team on Sunday.

Under the former leadership of Adrian Campos, the nephew of the great Ayrton Senna was signed by the Spanish based team late last year.

But as the rescue takeover by Jose Ramon Carabante and new team principal Colin Kolles was announced, it was said the 2010 driver lineup would be confirmed in "due course".

It raised speculation that Senna, 26, might be dropped in favour of drivers who can bring more direct funding.

Jose Maria Lopez, the well-funded Argentine driver whose 2010 employer USF1 is not ready to contest the first four races of the season, and Indian Karun Chandhok have been linked with Campos under the team's new leadership.

Brazil's Globo reports that Brazilian Senna met to discuss the situation with Carabante and Kolles on Carabante's yacht in Alicante.

They reportedly told the 2008 GP2 runner-up that he will not be asked to obtain more sponsors in order to safeguard his race seat, although additional funding "would be welcome".

Source: Motorsport

Female driver for Campos?

As the clock ticks for Campos, the new Spanish team is considering whether signing a female driver could help attract much-needed sponsors.

Reports in the specialist press, including Germany's Auto Motor und Sport and the Swiss newspaper Blick, indicate that the team could be asked to hand back its official entry if it cannot guarantee a full budget for the 2010 season.

It is believed the Campos issue will be discussed by the F1 Commission on Monday.

At the same time, it is rumoured in the Italian press that Maria de Villota is being considered as a teammate for Bruno Senna.

The 31-year-old Spaniard, who has competed in world touring cars, DTM and Superleague Formula, is the daughter of former F1 driver Emilio de Villota.

"When time runs out, urgent action is needed," said the Spanish sports daily AS, revealing that di Villota could minimally be offered the role as reserve driver.

Meanwhile, another Spanish sports daily, Marca, claims F2 champion Andy Soucek is in talks with Renault about becoming Robert Kubica's 2010 teammate.

Both Soucek and his chief rival for the seat, the Russian Vitaly Petrov, are well sponsored.

Source: F1 Complete