Pedro News Opciones

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07/15/2005

PEDRO DE LA ROSA FLIES AT JEREZ

Pedro de la Rosa has obtained today the best time in the last day of tests of this week in Jerez. The Spanish driver has stopped the time in 1:16.929 and has made a total of 65 laps at the Andalusian track, being the only driver of the session that has been in times of 1:16. De la Rosa has finalized the program of tests planned by McLaren Mercedes in substitution of Kimi Raikkonen who has not been able to move to Jerez by stomach problems.

1. Pedro de la Rosa McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:16.929 65
2. Nick Heidfeld Williams BMW (M) 1:17.250 80
3. Ricardo Zonta Toyota (M) 1:17.259 131
4. Alex Wurz McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:17.350 119
5. Franck Montagny Renault (M) 1:17.359 144
6. Takuma Sato BAR Honda (M) 1:17.383 116
7. Anthony Davidson BAR Honda (M) 1:17.548 119
8. Jacques Villeneuve Sauber (M) 1:17.604 94
9. Heikki Kovalainen Renault (M) 1:17.672 91
10. David Coulthard Red Bull (M) 1:17.855 56
11. Vitantonio Liuzzi Red Bull (M) 1:18.173 88
12. Ralf Schumacher Toyota (M) 1:18.973 47
13. Enrique Bernoldi BAR Honda 1:21.197 57
14. Olivier Panis Toyota (M) 1:21.314 45

Source: Circuito de Jerez

[pca]

Well, here in this topic we will post English news about Pedro.

I start, copied from the Spanish Forum:

McLaren's third car is 'key'
Third driver believes that extra Friday running may be crucial for McLaren. By Jonathan Noble

McLaren third driver Pedro de la Rosa has told autosport.com that he believes the Woking-based team must make the most of its extra car on the Fridays of grand prix weekends if the team is to capitalise on the promise of its MP4-20.

The Mercedes Benz-powered team's 2005 challenger has been marked out as one of the pre-season favourites for victory in Melbourne, but de la Rosa is adamant that with rivals Renault showing as much speed in testing up until now, the third car could provide the added muscle needed to lift McLaren to the top.

Speaking to autosport.com about the team's chances for the year, a beaming de la Rosa could not hide his confidence about the MP4-20 and was eagerly awaiting getting on with his Friday role.

“We have made a very good car - that is the truth,” said de la Rosa. “And Michelin has made a very big step forward. We really have to take advantage of having the third car, which is my job. It's a lot of responsibility on me and I'm very happy to take that."

McLaren's dismal start to the 2004 campaign, where its MP4-19 was left struggling near the back of the field, meant the outfit could manage no better than fifth overall in the constructors' championship – even though the transformed MP4-19B helped Kimi Raikkonen win in Belgium.

That fifth placed finish means that McLaren qualifies to run the third car on the Friday of grand prix weekends throughout 2005 – a factor that could prove a massive advantage. Last year BAR benefitted from the input of Anthony Davidson with its third car.

De la Rosa added: "The car is very quick, and it's so driveable. You don't have to fight the car this year, and so far we haven't had any engine problems. Reliability is good. In terms of speed, Renault are on a par with us, so we have to be careful, but we are very well prepared for the season and let's see in Melbourne.”