De la Rosa tests the new MP4/24 from McLaren

Pedro de la Rosa is the author of the track debut of the new McLaren-Mercedes MP4/24. He conducted a brief shakedown at the Portimao circuit yesterday, Saturday.

One day after the official presentation of the 2009 single-seater at the McLaren Technology Centre, de la Rosa completed 18 laps on the new circuit, with a best time of 1:28.719.

« It’s always an exciting moment when you’re behind the wheel of a new car for the first time. Given the many changes in the regulations made over the winter, the experience was more challenging than usual, » said the test driver for the Woking team.

However, I am pleased to report that the single-seater behaved exactly as we expected. Our forecasts were accurate for the number of laps completed.

« Obviously, we haven’t really ‘pushed’ the MP4-24 to its limits yet. We will start to run more laps on Monday, but it was a constructive start. We have every reason to be confident. »

McLaren had exclusive use of the Portuguese track on this Saturday, January 17, but the British team will be joined by the majority of its competitors next week for four days of testing. De la Rosa will be on duty Monday and Tuesday while drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen will each have a day of running.

« Given the testing limits this year, it is essential to work as productively as possible to develop the car before the first race of the season, » added de la Rosa.

« We have a few weeks ahead of us, but everyone on the team is really looking forward to seeing all this work pay off. »