De La Rosa quits McLaren for 2012 HRT seat

Pedro de la Rosa has left his role as McLaren third driver to take up a seat at HRT for 2012.

The Spaniard, who turned 40 earlier this year, has signed a two-year deal with the team.

In theory Tonio Liuzzi has a contract for 2012, and it remains to be seen whether the team intends to employ two experienced drivers rather than take a second driver with funding.

“This is a very important step in my sporting career and one of the most meditated ones I’ve taken,” said de la Rosa. “I’m at a very good stage in terms of maturity and am prepared to take on this challenge, which motivates me hugely. When deciding on joining this project, for me there were three decisive factors: my desire to return to the active competition, the fact that HRT is a Spanish team and getting to know the people leading this project, Luis Pérez-Sala being amongst them.

“I’m here to work hard, with modesty and humility, accepting where we are now but keeping in mind where we want to be in two years’ time. For me, this is the time to put into practice everything that I have learnt over the years at international top level racing teams so that we can grow together. I am proud that Spain has an F1 team and that I have this opportunity to be its driver.

“I can only show my gratitude towards HRT for having trusted in me for this. Lastly, I can’t forget to thank McLaren for allowing me to take this step. I have been very happy over the eight seasons I spent with them, growing as a driver and person. Without them I wouldn’t be here today.”

HRT team boss Colin Kolles said: “The team’s objective has always been to reinforce itself in every aspect: economically, technically and in a sporting aspect. Without a doubt, the addition of Pedro de la Rosa for next year will be a fundamental foundation in the development of our project. We are a young team that needs to continue progressing and with this incorporation I am convinced that we will do just that.”

Meanwhile McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh paid tribute: “Pedro’s contribution to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has been fantastically valuable – perhaps even more valuable than may be apparent to outsiders in fact – ever since he joined us in 2003.

“As a test driver, he’s been extraordinarily hard-working – on track and, latterly, more often, in our simulator – and his feedback has been reliable and expert. But his contributions have gone wider and deeper than that: Pedro is the archetypal team player, a big motivational presence in our team, and, perhaps because of that, he’s someone whom I personally will always count as a true friend.”