( CNN ) -- Veteran Formula One driver Pedro de la Rosa has signed a two-year contract to race with Hispania , the Spanish team announced Tuesday . The 40-year-old will vacate his current position as a test driver for British marque McLaren to join Hispania -- who first entered F1 in 2010 . `` This is a very important step in my sporting career , '' the Spaniard told the sport 's official website . `` I 'm at a very good stage in terms of maturity and am prepared to take on this challenge , which motivates me hugely . `` I 'm here to work hard , with modesty and humility , accepting where we are now but keeping in mind where we want to be in two years ' time . '' De la Rosa has started 85 F1 races over 12 years , but has not completed a full season since racing for Jaguar in 2002 . `` The team 's objective has always been to reinforce itself in every aspect : economically , technically and in a sporting aspect , '' said team principal Colin Kolles . `` Without a doubt , the addition of Pedro de la Rosa for next year will be a fundamental foundation in the development of our project . `` Apart from being a great person he is an experienced driver , as his career and prestige in Formula One prove . I give him my most sincere welcome . I am sure that he will adapt perfectly and that together we will achieve great things . '' De la Rosa first entered F1 with Arrows in 1999 before joining Jaguar in 2001 . He spent 2005 and 2006 with McLaren , but was then out of the sport for three years until racing for Sauber in 2010 . The Barcelona native raced for Sauber as a replacement for Sergio Perez at this year 's race in Canada , after the Mexican was injured during a crash at the Monaco Grand Prix . Hispania 's second season in F1 has proved a struggle , with the team yet to score a point in 2011 . The 2011 season will come to a close with the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos on November 27 .
Hispania has joined De la Rosa on a two-year deal . Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa has not completed a full Formula One season since 2011 . The veteran has spent two-year as a test driver for McLaren .