Pedro de la Rosa 'can't wait' to start Ferrari Formula 1 role
Pedro de la Rosa says he is extremely motivated by his new role at the Ferrari team after being signed as a development driver for the 2013 Formula 1 season
De la Rosa joins friends and fellow Spaniards Fernando Alonso and Marc Gene at the Maranello squad after being left without a racing seat when the HRT team failed to find a buyer at the end of 2012.
The 41-year-old Catalan will assist Ferrari with its simulation programme, and he admitted he cannot wait to get started.
"It is amazingly motivating to be working for a team like Ferrari, not just because of what it represents in the history of Formula 1 and motoring in general, but also because it will be a completely new and very stimulating experience for me," said de la Rosa.
"I really hope I can get to work as soon as possible and to help in the development of the car. I am happy to be collaborating with Fernando again and also to be working with Felipe [Massa].
"There's not much time until Australia, but there is a lot to do and I am available to help the team from right now."
De la Rosa has a total of 104 grand prix starts to his name, with his best result a second place in the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, where he raced a McLaren.
DE LA ROSA'S F1 CAREER
1998: Becomes Jordan test driver after winning Formula 3, Formula Nippon and Super GT titles in Japan.
1999-2000: Arrows race driver.
2001-2002: Starts '01 as Prost test driver before replacing Luciano Burti at Jaguar from Spanish Grand Prix.
2003-2009: McLaren test driver. Makes several starts in place of Juan Pablo Montoya in 2005 and '06, and takes first podium in Hungary '06.
2010: Makes surprise racing return with Sauber, but dropped after Italian GP.
2011: Becomes test driver for Pirelli for a spell, before rejoining McLaren as reserve. Makes a one-off return to a Sauber race seat to deputise for injured Sergio Perez in Canada.
2012: Back on the grid again with HRT, but team folds at end of season.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments