De la Rosa takes it philosophically

He hoped until the end, looking at that seat that remained empty for so many weeks, but Pedro de la Rosa shows character to spare. From the pages of the English weekly Autosport, the Spaniard, who was immediately affected by Heikki Kovalainen's arrival at McLaren Mercedes, declares that he “stayed there, since I am a combative boy with a racing mentality. Having said that, I have to respect the team's decision. I intend to work hard, demonstrating the same dedication as always."

He is a pilot-philosopher who indulges in the interviewer's notebook. Phrases like: "Life goes on, you have to live the entire season with a smile, the fuel of every test driver is the hope that the future holds the opportunity to compete for you." A possibility that de la Rosa shows she is counting on, otherwise, she confesses, she would have hung up her helmet.

No regrets, therefore, rather thanks to the Anglo-German team. “McLaren helped me improve as a racer, to become more complete. Furthermore, I have driven winning single-seaters, now I know how to make up for a car's shortcomings and make it fast, despite the telemetry data."

The Spaniard doesn't seem to be upset even when the conversation turns to the spy story in which he was somehow the protagonist. A topic which, according to the test driver, is definitively behind us, so much so that it is no longer discussed within the Woking team. “In F1 you have to enjoy everything, both good and bad, the staff is eager to erase the past, despite the team fighting for the title until the end”.

If for the next World Championship de la Rosa has to leave the field open to Kovalainen, in 2007 the suitor you didn't expect was Lewis Hamilton, "an incredible driver, unique from all points of view, starting from the method adopted to learn the different circuits, adapting his lifestyle to a single-seater that is difficult to drive."

Ex-rookie fully promoted, therefore, even if last season he took the wheel that should have belonged to Pedro. Scene repeated with the Finnish Heikki. “I hope I can say the same about him in 2009,” concludes de la Rosa. “This could mean he will be competitive with McLaren straight away.”

Ottavia Molteni