Campos car passes final crash test

Campos Meta 1's pre-season preparations received a boost on Tuesday when the team's Formula 1 car passed its final mandatory FIA crash test, AUTOSPORT has learned

The Spanish team's 2010 challenger is being developed by Italian constructor Dallara, and the progress on the technical front comes as the outfit closes on a financial deal that will secure its place on the grid.

Team principal Adrian Campos told AUTOSPORT that he was pleased with the rate of development being made ahead of a debut test in Spain next month, despite speculation over recent weeks suggesting the team was struggling to raise the money needed to start the season.

"The car is now homologated and we are still working very, very hard," said Campos. "We are very confident about our position, and we are close to a deal with an investor that will help us even more."

Campos is targeting joining some of the other new teams and running for the first time at the second Jerez test, which takes place from February 17-20. If it does not make that test, however, it will run at Barcelona at the end of the month.

The team hopes to be able to announce its second driver in the next fortnight, with Bruno Senna having already signed up for this year.