De la Rosa joins McLaren as test driver

By ..
April 3 2003

McLaren have signed Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa as their second Formula One test driver alongside Austrian Alex Wurz...................................

The team said in a statement on Thursday that the 32-year-old, who lost his race drive at Jaguar last season, would help Wurz with development of the current MP4-17D car and the new MP4-18.


De la Rosa has carried out testing for the team in Spain since March and was involved in the most recent session in Barcelona last week.


"We felt that it would be beneficial for the entire team to have an additional permanent driver resource," said McLaren managing director Martin Whitmarsh.


"We have already used Pedro for a couple of tests immediately following the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix and the team was impressed with his feedback and application.


"Pedro has substantial Formula One experience and will therefore be able to maximise the extensive development programme he will undertake for us during the season."


The team said Wurz, also a former Formula One racer, would remain as McLaren's reserve driver at grand prix weekends.