Jimenez signs

Jimenez, 22, will replace British driver Adam Carroll in the Spanish squad alongside teenager Javier Villa.

Jimenez, like the team, is backed by fuel company Repsol and steps up from the Spanish Formula Three championship, where he was beaten to the title by Ricardo Risatti last year.

His signings mean that only two seats remain unfilled in the championship - one at BCN and another at Durango, although the latter is almost certain to go to Indian racer Karun Chandhok.