Oct.21 (GMM) Roldan Rodriguez has already signed a contract covering the whole of the 2008 season, Spyker's new owner Vijay Mallya has revealed.

The Spanish GP2 driver, whose deal to test for the Silverstone based team over the upcoming winter period has already been unveiled, is therefore in pole position for the seat alongside Adrian Sutil next year.

But it is also being suggested that Spyker, to be renamed Force India next year, is planning a test in mid November at which several established drivers intend to make their case for the ride.

Among those in action could be Ralf Schumacher, Tonio Liuzzi, Sakon Yamamoto, and even Jarno Trulli, despite the Italian having a contract to stay at Toyota next year.

"We have a contract with Rodriguez," Mallya is quoted as saying by the Dutch magazine Formule 1 Race Report.

"The only problem is that he does not have a super license at the moment. If he does not get one, then he does not drive."

Mallya added that the contract with Rodriguez was concluded before he bought the team, "but we will honour it".

Britain's Independent, meanwhile, published rumours that Robert Kubica - despite his contract to stay at BMW-Sauber next year - is now being touted for a Toyota seat next year.

The newspaper also said Rubens Barrichello is "close to retirement".