Senna set for 2010 Campos seat
10/29/09 This rumor is upgraded to very 'strong.' Bruno Senna's deal to make his F1 debut next year with the new Spanish team Campos has now been signed, according to reports.
Two weeks ago, the 26-year-old Brazilian denied similar reports in the Spanish press, but admitted that the negotiations were in a "good condition".
The latest reports were published by sections of the Brazilian media, and an unnamed official close to Senna confirmed the news to a reporter of the Associated Press news agency.
Campos-Meta, having openly targeted Senna as well as Pedro de la Rosa, did not comment.
The Brazilian reports also said Rubens Barrichello has definitely signed with Williams, and the British team's boss Sir Frank Williams has confirmed he will announce his drivers for 2010 on Monday.
Lucas di Grassi, Renault's reserve driver and a Sao Paulo native, was mentioned in connection with a race seat for the French team, but it is believed Timo Glock is actually closer to a deal.
10/20/09 A senior official at Renault has stated that the team is in talks with Bruno Senna about testing him for the Renault seat soon. Recently confirming Robert Kubica for 2010, they are still seeking a second driver for next season.
Apparently the deal with Campos is not yet complete, or someone forgot to tell Renault. Maybe someone should be reading our Rumors page…we are returning this rumor to speculation for now…
10/18/09 In Sao Paulo Bruno Senna declared that the agreement with the new team of Adrian Campos is now done. Senna, the 2008 GP2 Series vice-champion, this year raced in the Le Mans Series. The Spanish Campos team will use a car built by Dallara.
10/09/09 (GMM) Bruno Senna may now have signed a deal to make his formula one debut with the new Spanish team Campos in 2010, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.
The Brazilian, whose uncle Ayrton won the world championship three times, is said to carry a double-digit million euro sum in personal sponsorship, as the arrival of up to four new teams next year signals the return of a pay-driver era.
Favorite to be his teammate is Pedro de la Rosa.
Also eyed by the new teams Campos, Manor and Lotus is Vitaly Petrov, a Russian who finished the 2009 GP2 championship in second place while promising a hefty 15 million Euros to a formula one employer for next season.
The Brazilians Lucas di Grassi (7m Euros) and Nelson Piquet (5m Euros) can also offer sponsorship to a 2010 team, as can the respectively Mexican and Venezuelan Sergio Perez and Pastor Maldonado.
The new Malaysian-owned Lotus team, meanwhile, is said to be eying Fairuz Fauzy as a teammate for the highly experienced Toyota refugee Jarno Trulli.
At the top of Manor/Virgin's driver shortlist is the Irish reigning A1GP champion Adam Carroll, who according to Auto Motor und Sport also has sponsorship money in tow.
But the 26-year-old is reportedly hesitating, amid uncertainty about which of F1's new teams will actually make it to the Bahrain season opener next March.