De la Rosa in running for Campos seat

Lewis Hamilton on Thursday said he would miss his colleague Pedro de la Rosa if the Spanish test driver leaves McLaren at the end of 2009.

"I always wish him all the best because he is a great teammate," the reigning world champion said of de la Rosa, 38.

"If he decided to leave the team I would miss him because he is a pleasure to work with, he's funny, he's a hard worker and he is supportive even in the most difficult moments.

"I would like him to stay," Hamilton added on a PR visit to Spain.

The McLaren driver's comments come amid reports that the new Spanish formula one team, Campos-Dallara, is readying to announce at least one of its race drivers for the 2010 season at the European grand prix in Valencia next month.

Team chief Adrian Campos had earlier indicated that Spaniards including de la Rosa, Marc Gene, Javi Villa and Roldan Rodriguez are all candidates.

"I will speak with them," he said last month.

"I will try to support Spanish drivers, but that does not mean that anyone is going to drive for us just because he is Spanish."