Feb.16 (GMM) USF1's only confirmed driver Jose Maria Lopez has singled out fellow rookie Adrian Valles as an ideal teammate.

We reported earlier this month that Spaniard Valles, 23, was the leading candidate to complete the new American entrant's 2010 driver lineup.

Valles, who tested with Silverstone based Midland and Spyker a few years ago, returned to GP2 in 2008 and last season became the champion of the Superleague Formula series.

"For many reasons, I would love to have Adrian as my teammate," Argentine Lopez, 26, told the daily Spanish sports newspaper Marca in an interview.

"First, he is a young guy who is talented and experienced. Secondly, because I know him from our time together in the Renault driver development programme," he added.

"Adrian has done well in all the categories he has competed in, proving he is a talented driver," said Lopez.

Despite USF1 being a brand new outfit whose car is not ready with less than a month to go until the 2010 season, Lopez said the Charlotte based team does not necessarily need at least one experienced driver.

"I think, more than experience, it is more important to have the right attitude and desire to develop and help the team," he said.

"Logically it is very useful for an inexperienced team in F1 to have an experienced driver, but so too is it (useful) to have young drivers who are willing to give everything," added Lopez.

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