10 years of Formula 1 for De La Rosa

Pedro de la Rosa marked the tenth anniversary of his Formula 1 debut at the Melbourne Grand Prix. His first race took place ten years ago with the Arrows team, then Jaguar, before moving to McLaren as a reserve driver in 2003.

Qualified eighteenth, Pedro De La Rosa had shone in his Arrows, finishing sixth in the 1999 Australian Grand Prix.

« I remember every detail as if it were yesterday, leaving the pit lane, shifting into second, third, fourth gear until the first corner. It was my first Grand Prix, and the trip to Australia felt like an adventure. I stayed calm for the race because it was my first Grand Prix, and I didn’t expect to score any points. I enjoyed this Grand Prix because I remember seeing Michael Schumacher in my mirrors for a few laps, it was an incredible feeling! »

After two years with Arrows, four races for Jaguar during the 2001 season, McLaren needed his services in 2003. Only nine opportunities allowed him to race for the British brand, replacing Juan-Pablo Montoya in Bahrain in 2005 and the last eight races of the 2006 season.

Frustrating moments are also part of his career, but not being able to seize the opportunity to be an official driver in 2007, giving way to Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, is his greatest frustration.

« When you manage to enter Formula 1, you think you’ll win almost every race, but reality catches up with you very quickly when your lap times are at the bottom of the timesheet, » describing his transition from smaller formulas.

« Your mentality changes a bit because you start to lose your fighting edge. In retrospect, sixth place is not too bad, but I wanted to be on the podium, and everyone knows that it didn’t happen until 2006, so I learned in a really hard way. »

De La Rosa was contacted by Force India this season, following the engine partnership with Mercedes, but only for a test in Barcelona.

After spending half of his career in Formula 1 with the Woking-based team, McLaren thanks him for his contribution in recent years.

214 days of testing at ten different locations, 2966 laps completed, he remains as popular as ever in the paddocks.

« I have known Pedro since he joined the team in 2003. His approach, perspectives, and positive attitude have been an inspiration for me since my beginnings in Formula 1. His efforts over the years have brought this team to an exceptional level. I am proud of what Pedro does and will continue to do for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. This man is a legend, » declared Lewis Hamilton.