Articles Tagged ‘Pedro de la Rosa’

De la Rosa for Sauber in 2010?

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 - Posted by Jack Sargeant

According to the Swiss daily newspaper Blick, Sauber will confirm Pedro de la Rosa to drive alongside Kamui Kobayashi in 2010 for the new team.

The newspaper said that an announcement will be made soon, barring “an earthquake in Hinwil.”

The 38-year-old Spaniard has had two previous stints in an F1 race seat from 99-02 with Arrows and Jaguar and from 05-06 at McLaren, before become a full time test driver for McLaren. In his 72 races, he collected 29 points with just 1 podium, and 0 wins.

Last week team owner Peter Sauber was quoted as saying that “an experienced man” with “new knowledge for the team” has been signed to partner Kobayashi in 2010 – a bill perfectly fitted by de la Rosa.

Christian Klien and Nick Heidfeld are other drivers in the running for the seat.

Force India keeping options open.

Thursday, November 19th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant

Force India logo

Force India are obviously keeping their options for 2010 drivers open – no less than 6 drivers are in the running for the seats, including the drivers who ended last season with the team; Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi.

Giancarlo Fisichella who went to Ferrari last season to cover for the injured Felipe Massa will most likely stay at the Italian team as test driver next season with Massa and Fernando Alonso having the race seats, although Fisichella has not completely ruled himself out, saying:

“Why not? It is open. It could be Force India. There are a lot of teams without drivers so far.”

Another driver in the running is former Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. who was heavily involved in the ‘Crashgate’ scandal, although it seems his whistleblowing has not deterred Force India. Piquet said:

“I am close to Force India at the moment, but to me NASCAR is very interesting, so I don’t know yet what is going to happen. I don’t want to take a decision without knowing how things work here in the United States, so I came to be with the drivers and team owners.

“It is clear that the F1 cars are very much better technologically – the best in the world – but I find that if it is enjoyable, it doesn’t matter if I am racing in karts. The important thing is to compete.”

The other two drivers in the running are Pedro de la Rosa who was denied a drive at the new team Campos for the lack of Spanish sponsors that come with him, although he is still a possibility for the Force India drive.

The final driver rumoured to join the team sure is an interesting one – Scot Paul di Resta. Di Resta finished 3rd in this years prestigious DTM championship driving for the AMG Mercedes team, including one race win on home soil at Brands Hatch. Di Resta is set for a test at Jerez for the team in early December.

De la Rosa’s F1 return hopes over?

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant

Pedro De la Rosa

It seemed that Campos Grand Prix had secured their driver line-up a while ago, with the rumours circulating that Bruno Senna and Pedro De la Rosa were to drive for the new team in 2010.

Since then, Bruno Senna has been confirmed as a Campos driver for 2010, but is seems that Spaniard Pedro De la Rosa will not be so lucky.

Team boss Adrian Campos has said that the lack of Spanish sponsors for De la Rosa may be a problem, also citing they may have a couple of other drivers on their shortlist. He said:

“I would like Pedro de la Rosa but he is Spanish and Spanish sponsors are in a bad way. There are other options from Russia and Venezuela but it all depends on the sponsor.”

Pedro de la Rosa has driven in F1 previously for Jordan, Arrows, Jaguar and McLaren from 1999-2006. His highest ever driver’s championship finish is 11th and his highest ever race finish is 2nd, with both of those results coming when he drove the latter half of the 2006 season for McLaren, when Juan Pablo Montoya left the team. De la Rosa has been the test driver for McLaren for the last 3 years.

Could Piquet Jr Return to F1 for Campos?

Sunday, November 1st, 2009 - Posted by Formula1Blogger

Nelson Piquet Jr

Some news in the paddock this weekend that is causing a stir is that the recently departed Nelson Piquet Jr is in talks with new Formula 1 team Campos for a race seat next year. Campos only hours earlier on Saturday confirmed that Bruno Senna would drive for the team, with Pedro de la Rosa rumoured to be his team mate.

Bernie Ecclestone was talking to the Daily Telegraph about the possiblity of Piquet Jr going to Campos,

“It’d be good wouldn’t it, another good name. That’s what’s being talked about actually.”

This will alarm some, due to the fact the Piquet Jr, central to the “crashgate” episode with Renault in 2008, escaped with no punishment earlier this year. Whereas his team bosses weren’t so lucky, Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds were banned from the sport. Most believe Piquet Jr should have also received some kind of reprimand, he was at the wheel after all, however the FIA saw differently and gave him immunity for evidence.

At this time it is unknown why talks between the Spanish team Campos and de la Rose have stalled.

For more information on the Formula 1 driver lineup for 2010, check out our Ultimate Guide.

Senna and de la Rosa to drive for Campos in 2010?

Thursday, October 29th, 2009 - Posted by Jack Sargeant

Bruno Senna

Spanish motorsport website motor21.com is reporting that Adrian Campos’ team Campos Grand Prix have decided on their two drivers for next season – Bruno Senna and Pedro de la Rosa, but the team are yet to make an official announcement.

Brazilian Bruno Senna, 26 who is of course nephew of Ayrton Senna has previously driven in the British F3 Championship and the GP2 championship in which he has finished 2nd in the drivers’ championship last year. In terms of F1 experience, he tested for Honda last year prior to them going bust.

Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa has driven in F1 previously for Jordan, Arrows, Jaguar and McLaren from 1999-2006 and his highest ever driver’s championship finish is 11th and his highest ever race finish was 2nd, with both of those results coming when he drove the latter half of the 2006 season for McLaren when Juan Pablo Montoya left the team.

De la Rosa has been the test driver for McLaren for the last 3 years.

For more information on the Formula 1 driver lineup for 2010, check out our Ultimate Guide.