Di Grassi says F1 deal is done

Virgin is set to launch its F1 project in association with the Manor team on Tuesday, and yesterday di Grassi announced via Twitter and Brazilian television that he had secured a 2010 seat.

"For all who are wondering, I'll be in F1 in 2010," di Grassi wrote. "The details will be announced next week. Stay tuned. Thank you very much."

Di Grassi told AUTOSPORT in October that he was very interested in the Virgin/Manor team, and won the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix while driving for John Booth's squad in 2005.

"From what I understand, it has the best package available of the new teams - in terms of technical people who have joined the team, in terms of marketing, and in terms of financial backing," said di Grassi. "I think is very, very serious, so from my side I rate it very high on the list."

The 25-year-old has been a Renault F1 reserve driver for the past two seasons, having long been part of the French company's driver development scheme, and has finished in the top three in GP2 for the last three years, although he did not win the title in the feeder championship.

Virgin has already signed ex-Toyota driver Timo Glock for its first 2010 seat.