Jaguar Confirm de la Rosa Will Replace Burti in Spain

The Jaguar Racing team confirmed on Thursday Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa will replace Brazilian Luciano as of the Spanish Grand Prix next week.

Burti announced earlier today he was leaving Jaguar to join the Prost team, replacing Argentine driver Gaston Mazzacane alongside Frenchman Jean Alesi.

Just minutes after Burti's announcement, Jaguar confirmed de la Rosa will be his substitute.

"I want to wish Luciano the very best for the future," team boss Bobby Rahal was quoted as saying on Jaguar's official website.

"He has made a valuable contribution to the team, and our appreciation for his services cannot be overstated. He is a tremendous young man who has a great future in F1."

De la Rosa, who was left out in the cold before the start of the season after being dumped by the Arrows team only weeks before the first race, said he was delighted with the opportunity.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for me, and it lays to rest the speculation that has surrounded my recent moves in F1," de la Rosa said.

"I came to Jaguar Racing because the long term potential for the team is obvious and I believe that Bobby Rahal and the team are fully focussed on the job in hand.

"I must emphasis the crucial role Bobby has played in the negotiations that have brought me to this point. A lot of hard work went on behind the scenes and Bobby was instrumental in pulling this deal off.

"Since joining the team I have had an excellent relationship with Luciano and I’d like to extend to him my very best wishes for the future."

"It’s great to have Pedro on board and I am confident in his ability to do an excellent job for us," added Rahal.

"He has already demonstrated his capability in the car, albeit as our test driver so far this year, and I’m sure he will acquit himself well at Barcelona â€" a circuit he knows very well."