Soucek eyes options beyond the obvious.

Formula One hopeful Andy Soucek insists that he is monitoring opportunities to graduate to the top flight that stretch beyond the obvious openings at both Campos Meta and USF1, and would accept a reserve role should it prove to a better option.

The Spaniard, who is desperate to move up to F1 after claiming last season's inaugural F2 crown after two seasons in GP2, had been linked to the reserve role at Williams following the accession of Nico Hulkenberg but ultimately missed out to promising Finn Valtteri Bottas, and has seen potential race options at Renault and Sauber go to Vitaly Petrov and Pedro de la Rosa respectively.

With Petrov out of the running, however, the door to the second seat at Campos Meta has reopened to Soucek who, having once claimed to have been priced out of the race, says that talks have re-opened with the cash-strapped operation.

"Right now, nothing is closed," Soucek told Spain's Marca newspaper, "The negotiations have been conducted and have opened new fronts. The two seats are free USF1 and Campos, but there are also other possibilities that are tempting me enough - and all in F1.

"Of course, I'd like to be part of F1 in a year as decisive [as 2010] but, in life, you're not always going to get what you want - and that is, unfortunately, most of the time. We could not go to the first test, but who knows if the second or third are possible because things are not settled. We are in the hands of others and I hope that my work provides me with something that is very good for me."

The Spaniard confirmed that he had be back in touch with Campos Meta, and that talks were now progressing further than before, but insisted that that did not make the Spanish team his only option.

"There has been contact [with Campos] but, in the end, everyone talks to everyone and even more at a time like now, where teams are desperate for a driver and drivers for a team. For a month, I have been in very advanced negotiations with Campos. As has been reported in all media, Adrian [Campos] is having a very difficult time, and I think that indecision and uncertainty is corrosive right now.

"He does not know what will happen, but is obviously hoping his team succeeds, as we all want it to. It's a Spanish team and it is very important for racing but, unfortunately, there is an economic problem and perhaps the media is feasting a bit on it. We hope to solve it and then we will know who will be the second driver."

Ironically, Soucek's biggest rival for the second USF1 seat may be countryman Adrian Valles, who revealed that he had been in talks with the American newcomer last month.

"I do not know if he has signed, but I understand that is not initialled," he said of any deal Valles may be considering, "Adrian has always been rapid in the championships he has run - he has been my team-mate and I can not say anything bad about him. He's fast and he deserves [a shot at F1], but we have not spoken and I can not give more information."

While a race seat is clearly Soucek's priority for 2010, he admits that it is not the be-all-and-end-all, especially if, as is rumoured, the teams with vacancies are those most likely not to make the field.

"Being a race driver draws us all, regardless of the team, because being on the grid is what we want," he admitted, "But being a reserve driver is important too, as it would help me and give me enough time to prepare for 2011 with another year of experience in F1. It's a role that can not be excluded, and I think it is a job I deserve.

"As I do not have to pay for it, I'm interested in that. A third driver can bring a small sponsor, or not even that, but I'm not going to be carried away by the despair. If I sign something like that, it has to be something to help me in my career, not hurt me. The step has to be measured, to give me a guarantee to make a decent role in F1."