Former Super Aguri and Spyker driver Sakon Yamamoto has taken on a test and reserve role with the new Hispania team for the 2010 season.
The deal will see Yamamoto taking part in Friday practice sessions at grands prix weekends.
"It is fantastic to be part of a new team and I hope I will be able to gather useful data whenever possible on Friday for the race drivers," said Yamamoto. "I have seen how committed everyone at the team is and I feel the same."
The 27-year-old Japanese driver contested 14 grands prix during two partial campaigns in 2006 and 2007, first replacing Franck Montagny at Super Aguri, and then taking the Spyker seat previously occupied by Christijan Albers and Markus Winkelhock. He dropped out of Formula 1 at the end of '07 and subsequently made some GP2 appearances.
Hispania boss Colin Kolles believes Yamamoto's presence will boost his new squad.
"I am confident that his input into the development of our car will be useful and means another reinforcement of our team as the European season starts in Barcelona," said Kolles, who ran Spyker during Yamamoto's time with the squad.
"We look forward to welcoming Sakon to the team and working closely with him."