Clos, Hua, Alguersuari, Van der Garde on HRT shortlist

Pedro de la Rosa is definitely staying at HRT in 2013, the Spanish team's boss Luis Perez-Sala has announced. "Pedro de la Rosa will drive for us in 2013," he is quoted by the German language Speed Week.

The Spanish veteran's current teammate is Narain Karthikeyan, but the Indian has been linked with a possible switch to Indycar. Speed Week said the presence of Karthikeyan, 35, has not brought the expected flood of Indian sponsors to HRT.

The report named the team's Chinese reserve driver Ma Qing Hua as a candidate to replace him. But on Sky television last weekend, former McLaren driver Martin Brundle suggested the 24-year-old is "not ready" to make his grand prix debut yet.

Speed Week said Spaniard Dani Clos - another HRT 'Friday' driver this year - would be a leading contender if he had more sponsorship. Jaime Alguersuari is another candidate, with Speed Week saying the former Toro Rosso driver and Pirelli tester has "put together an enticing sponsor package" for 2013.

And Brundle said Caterham's reserve driver Giedo van der Garde could also be in the running, saying the Dutchman has done "a good job in GP2 and apparently has some sponsorship behind him". (GMM)