F1 News
Date: 16/January/2013
Having seen his F1 race seat
disappear due to the collapse of HRT, Pedro De La Rosa has been swiftly
recruited by Ferrari.
The vastly experienced Spaniard,
41, has raced in 106 grands prix for Arrows, Jaguar, McLaren, Sauber and HRT.
But he is perhaps most highly
regarded for his expertise as a test driver, a role he carried out at McLaren
from 2003-2009 - also competing in nine races and claiming his only F1 podium -
then again in 2011.
A return to Woking thus seemed De
La Rosa’s most likely destination for 2013, but Ferrari has clinched his
signature with the aim of boosting its simulator programme.
Ferrari Team Principal Stefano
Domenicali said: “We decided to add De La Rosa to our group of drivers mainly
to strengthen one area, namely work in the simulator, which with the current
regulations regarding testing, is becoming ever more important.”
De Le Rosa is unsurprisingly
delighted to move from the least to best funded team on the grid, where he will
also get the chance to work with compatriot Fernando Alonso. De Le Rosa
previously worked with Alonso during his ill-fated season at McLaren in 2007.
De La Rosa said: “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.
“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 joins Davide Rigon,
Marc Gene, Andrea Bertolini and Jules Bianchi as part of Ferrari’s development
team.
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