BCN drop Risatti

Risatti, 20, the reigning Spanish Formula Three champion, was signed by the team a month ago after testing on numerous occasions (pictured), but will now look for drives in other series’.

A BCN statement said: “Due to the failure of Risatti in raising the total budget needed to participate in the 2007 GP2 Series, and because of the negative responsse of the South American and European companies, his managers and the BCN team have decided as of now to stop any contractual negotiation.

With less than a month before the season-opening double header at Sakhir in Bahrain, BCN face a race against time to fill the second seat alongside Formula One refugee Sakon Yamamoto.

Both Jose Maria Lopez and Renault World Series champion Alx Danielsson were in the frame for the drive before Risatti's deal was confirmed and could yet feature again.