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Lopez talks up Valles for US F1

US F1's only confirmed driver, Jose Maria Lopez, has flagged fellow rookie Adrian Valles as an ideal team-mate.

Valles, 23, who tested with 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 team-mate," Lopez told the Spanish press. "First, he's a young guy who is talented and experienced. Secondly, because I know him from our time together in the Renault driver development programme. Adrian has done well in all the categories he has competed in, proving he is a talented driver."

Despite US F1 being a brand new team, Lopez said it did not necessarily need an 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."

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