Dani Clos joins HRT as reserve driver for 2012 F1 season

The 23-year-old Spaniard drove for the team at last November's young driver test at Yas Marina, and has now signed a deal that will involve him taking part in several Friday free practice sessions during the year.

He will support race drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan and believes that his new role will help him progress as a driver.

"I'm very proud to be a part of HRT Formula 1 Team. It is a great step in my career, something that I have dreamt of all my life and, finally, my dream is starting to come true," Clos said. "I'm very impressed with the job the team is doing; they're achieving fantastic things in a short space of time.

"The team has changed a lot since we met at the Abu Dhabi tests and I think it's a great opportunity and an honor to form a part of this new team. What they're achieving is very important for motorsport in our country and has a lot of potential.

"Also, being alongside Pedro de la Rosa is very important for me, since he and Karthikeyan can positively contribute to me becoming a better driver."

Clos has spent the past three years in GP2, winning once in the main series and once in the Asia Series. Fourth place in the 2010 championship for Racing Engineering marked his best season.

Prior to that he was a podium finisher in the F3 Euro Series and the 2006 Italian Formula Renault champion.