F1 Campos team recruit Kolles

Colin Kolles was named team principal of Campos while a new majority shareholder has taken over to try to ensure the struggling Formula One debutants are on the grid for the first race of the season.

Spanish businessman Jose Ramon Carabante, who was already a partner in the team, has taken control from former F1 driver Adrian Campos with ex-Force India managing director Kolles put in charge of racing.

"I would like to thank Bernie Ecclestone, who worked tremendously to support our efforts to keep the team viable," Carabante said.

"The whole rescue operation has been a race against time with the goal of always having the team run two competitive cars at the first Grand Prix of the F1 season in Bahrain.

"We have a lot of hard work still ahead of us but we are excited about making our F1 debut and looking forward to a competitive season."

The Bahrain Grand Prix takes place on March 14 but Campos have yet to test their car or name a second driver having already recruited Bruno Senna.

Campos are one of four new teams on the F1 grid this year.

Fellow newcomers US F1 have also not tested or named a second driver, prompting speculation they will miss the first race.

Kolles, who was boss at Jordan, Midland, Spyker and Force India during the team's various incarnations, left in 2009.

The Romanian-German said new investment was still needed at Campos.

"Over the next 10 days we will review the entire operation, find the extra funding to ensure the team will make the first race in Bahrain and announce the line-up for 2010 in due time," he said.