José María López does not hide the fact that he doubted ever racing in Formula 1, having left Europe in 2007 due to a lack of opportunities. After spending two years in South America, the Argentinean will make his F1 debut with the new US F1 team this season.
Part of Renault's young driver development programme from 2004 to 2006, López tested the Enstone team's championship-winning cars in the middle of the last decade but was never presented with a chance of racing in blue and yellow.
"Three years ago, when I returned from Europe, I couldn't have imagined getting this opportunity again," the 27-year-old admitted to Reuters, having confirmed a 1-year deal with US F1 which contains the option for a second. "I know how difficult it is to get into F1.
"Thank God, the results and many other things came together; after a fantastic 2009 for me, which would be very hard for anyone to repeat, if it wasn't this year it was going to be very difficult."
López will travel to Austria for simulator trainer in early February before his first on-track outing. "The car should be ready between the 20th and 25th of February and then we're going to test drive it in Alabama," he added. "I'm going to enjoy it a lot but at the same time I'll be concentrated and at 100 percent of my abilities to be able to do things well."
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