Mar.1 (GMM) Santander is continuing its relationship with Pedro de la Rosa.

A spokesman for the Spanish bank, which sponsors the Ferrari and McLaren teams in formula one, revealed the news during an event featuring Fernando Alonso in Madrid on Monday.

Juan Manuel Cendoya is quoted in the Spanish press as describing the newly 40-year-old de la Rosa as "a knight of F1" who has "standing and credibility".

The only remaining race seat for 2011 is with the Spanish team HRT, who are thought likely to sign another pay-driver to be Narain Karthikeyan's teammate.

De la Rosa, also with the Pirelli tyre testing role to fall back upon, has said his back-up plan is a third driver role with an F1 team.

He told Europa Press on his birthday last week that he will be in the sport in 2011 "one way or another" but did not elaborate.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version