De la Rosa still seeking F1 race drive

The Spaniard has been linked with drives at the new Campos Meta and US F1 squads, although the first option seems less likely as team boss Adrian Campos admitted it was hard to find Spanish backers.

De la Rosa's chances at US F1 seemed to increase when the team confirmed it would have its European base at the Motorland Aragon circuit in Spain.

The 38-year-old says there's no rush to confirm his plans, but admits he's working hard to secure a racing seat.

"It's still early," the Spaniard was quoted as saying by the EFE news agency. "There's no hurry to make a decision. It's true that US F1 and Motorland reached a deal to have its European logistic base in Alcaniz. The important thing is that the project materialised.

"I don't know what will happen after that. I don't know what team I will drive for or in what capacity.

"I can happily stay at McLaren as a reserve driver, and I could do that while racing for another team, or just race for another team. I don't know, that's the answer.

"There are options, and whatever I do, people has to be clear that I'm trying everything I can to return to racing in F1."

De la Rosa admitted he never thought getting a racing drive at McLaren was a possibility for next year.

"It's clear that with Button and Hamilton McLaren has drivers for several years. I honestly never believed that I had any options to get that drive, just like in previous years I felt the place was mine. Not this time. I'm working in other direction."