Zoom De la Rosa preparing for the new regulations

Long-time McLaren Mercedes test driver Pedro de la Rosa had hoped he would get the nod to race alongside Lewis Hamilton this year, but with Heikki Kovalainen being drafted into the team, the Spanish veteran leads the test team once again in 2008...

You have been with the team for over five years, what advantages as a test driver does that give you?
"Being in the team since 2003 gives me several advantages. The first is that I know every member of the team and their role within the team very well . All this saves time in order to achieve goals. Secondly, I have driven seven different cars, which gives me a good base to understand what we need to improve the car and make it quicker."

The main difference in the regulations this year is the removal of driver aids, what input does the test driver have in developing the car around this? How much work has had to be done and what has been the main difference in driving?
"Every season we have some kind of regulation changes and all we have to do is adapt ourselves and the car to these changes. People talk a lot about the removal of driver aids, but there is not much difference from a driver’s point of view. I have driven without driver aids for most of my life. However, the starts should be more interesting as it will be difficult to do them consistently. Regarding the car, we have made lots of detail changes which are a consequence of the simulation work already carried out and at the two track tests prior to Christmas. "

2007 was one of the closest seasons the sport has seen for many years, do you think that 2008 will be just as exciting?
"It should be even better as I imagine there will be more than just two teams winning races."

Favourite film?
"The silence of the lambs"

Favourite song / music track?
"Mana, Manda una señal"

Favourite actor?
"Jorge Sanz , Juan Echanove and Lucía Jiménez"

The best dish you can cook?
"None. Well, spaghetti with tomato sauce, but that is easy."

What would you never eat?
"Frog legs"

Most embarrassing moment ever?
"Destroying a brand new Toyota Supra on an installation lap in 1996"

The day you will never forget?
"There are many, but the days my daughters were born"

Luxury you could not live without?
"Shaving in the morning"

Favourite corner and why?
"Every corner where I am quicker than the rest"

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Source McLaren Mercedes
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