De la Rosa ready to be a McLaren driver

Pedro De La Rosa declares he is ready to partner with Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next season, if the British team offers him the available second place.

McLaren has a seat available following the departure of Fernando Alonso, the double world champion, from the team, marking the end of a tumultuous year.

De la Rosa has been a test driver for McLaren since the 2003 season, and the Spaniard’s contract binds him with the British team for another two years.

The team, however, has made it clear that they are not in a hurry to decide who will be Hamilton’s partner next year, while De La Rosa is obviously eager to secure the spot.

« For now, the team is not in a hurry, and neither am I. What is certain is that I will be a test driver for McLaren and that I still have two years on my contract, » declared De La Rosa in the columns of El Pais.

« If the team needs a full-time driver, I’m ready, that’s for sure. »

De la Rosa also praised Alonso, but the Catalan refused to speak about his compatriot regarding his near future.

« It’s a personal decision that I prefer not to discuss because I am not the person to say anything about it. For me, it was a pleasure to work with him, he’s a great champion, » he added.

« Fernando is no longer my teammate and it would be inappropriate to talk about his future, » concluded De la Rosa.