Pedro News Opciones

[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.”

[Raquel]

McLaren.com:

17 February 2005 16:38

TEST REPORT BARCELONA, DAY 3
Date: Thursday, February 17th, 2005
Location: Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Driver: Pedro de la Rosa
Weather: Sunny with a slight breeze.
Air temperature approx. 12 degrees celsius
Track temperature approx. 14 degrees celsius
Laps run: Pedro de la Rosa 112 laps
Kilometres covered: Pedro de la Rosa 518 km
Best lap time of the day: Pedro de la Rosa, 1m14.543s
Best lap time of Team McLaren Mercedes driver: Pedro de la Rosa, 1m14.543s
Duration of test: Three days

Team McLaren Mercedes completed its three day testing programme at the Circuit de Catalunya today.

Pedro de la Rosa was present at the final day of testing, his programme concentrating on calibrating the car for the forthcoming Australian Grand Prix. Pedro set the fastest time today, completing 112 laps of the circuit, with a fastest time of 1m14.543s.

Over the course of the week, the three drivers present at the test, Pedro, Kimi and Juan Pablo completed a total of 2,073 km. Pedro set the fastest lap time of the week of the Team McLaren Mercedes drivers with a 1m14.543s lap today.

This week’s test has involved the race team rather than test team personnel, with all equipment used over a race weekend set up at the track. The first day saw Kimi and Juan Pablo in action, however an accident for Kimi in the afternoon during the final phase of a planned grand prix simulation resulted in heavy damage to the car and the team taking the precaution that he would not test the following day. The cause of the accident was a foreign body which got jammed between the brake caliper and the inside of a wheel rim and machined a groove into the rim which caused an immediate failure. Juan Pablo completed 71 laps with a fastest lap time of 1m15.400s. Kimi completed 83 laps of the circuit before his accident and his fastest time was 1m15.229s.

Pedro de la Rosa deputised for Kimi on the second day of the test, and he and Juan Pablo were both concentrating on durability and calibration of the car for the Australian Grand Prix. The start of Pedro’s running was delayed while the mechanics worked to repair Kimi’s damaged car to allow him to drive, and he completed his first installation lap at 13:35. Pedro completed 63 laps, while Juan Pablo completed 119 laps with no reported problems. Pedro’s fastest time was a 1m16.134s lap and Juan Pablo’s fastest lap time was a 1m16.197s lap.

Martin Whitmarsh, CEO, Formula One, Team McLaren Mercedes

“This week has seen another productive test, with the race team taking over duties from the test team to allow us to iron out any issues before the Australian Grand Prix. The strength and durability of the cars meant that Kimi was able to walk away from his accident with no more than a bruised thumb, and the mechanics did an excellent job to repair the car and allow Pedro to continue with the planned programme for the final two days of the test.”

Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport

“Our final test with the MP4-20 before the start of the season in 17 days in Melbourne gave positive results to the entire team. On the second test day Juan Pablo did 119 laps and 551 km without any problems which was encouraging. Kimi had an accident on the first day of testing which was not his mistake and thankfully he walked away with a bruised thumb only. The mechanics did a superb job in repairing the car overnight, allowing Pedro to continue the next day and achieving almost a Grand Prix distance with the car. On the last day Pedro posted the fastest lap time with this car during the course of the day and ran a total of 112 laps or 518 km. In the meantime the team members in Woking, Brixworth and Stuttgart continued their challenging work to get everything ready for the first race in Australia. During the course of the preparations we put a total of a little less than 6,600 km on the new MP4-20 and we achieved several successful long runs with the new engines leading up to more than 1,800 km on an engine. Everybody in the team has had a very stressful last four months, and a good result in the first race would be the best reward for all of us.”

Next week Team McLaren Mercedes will test in Valencia from February 21-23. Alex Wurz and Pedro will be present over all three days, piloting MP4-19Bs. The focus of this test will be on tyres for the forthcoming Bahrain Grand Prix and software components.

[Pethead]

Thanks for the translations!! Great stuff!
Please keep ém coming! Yesterday I read that Alex Wurz want to have a receposition and perhaps want to leave McLaren for 2006 season... I suppose that leaves a big opening for PDLR!

[pca]

Yes, it seems that Wurz is not happy with the present situation.

I think Pedro will try to shine with his role of third driver this first races, to consolidate his position in McLaren and perhaps with some luck he will be racing in 2006 with a middle team.

Possibly Pedro and Wurz are looking for the same objective, be third driver in McLaren and fight for a place in the 2006 starting grid (Dubai F1 team?). At this moment, it seems that Pedro is winning.

Sorry for my English, .

[pca]

One more thing, are not translations. Our English it's not so good.

[Pethead]

No problems PCA, your English is as good as mine! Thanks, once again!

[pca]

2/18/2005

LAST TESTS OF PEDRO DE LA ROSA BEFORE THE GP OF AUSTRALIA

Pedro de la Rosa will be testing the next week in the Circuit Ricardo Tormo of Valencia to finalize details before the Grand Prix of Australia. De la Rosa will initiate the tests along with Alex Wurz on Monday and both will be in the Valencian track until Wednesday.

The drivers of McLaren Mercedes will drive the MP4/19B the three days of tests, whereas the new single-seater will be officially released the 6 of March in Melbourne.

[Raquel]

17 OF FEBRUARY OF 2005 PEDRO OF the ROSE crono in 1:14.542 PUTS the BATTERIES to HIM To the MP4/20 FOR AUSTRALIA Pedro of the Rose has obtained today in Montmeló the best mark of the day to controls of the MP4/20 stopping and completing the work anticipated in spite of the accident of Tuesday of the Finn Kimi Raikkonen. The Spanish pilot has made, between afternoon of yesterday and today, 175 returns without no kind of problems. The next time that McLaren MP4/20 goes to track will be in the semi-urban layout of Albert Park. "the balance of these tests is very positive because the car has been demonstrated fast and trustworthy. We have been able to accumulate many kilometers and I believe that this year we go very well prepared for Melbourne." It is possible to emphasize that Of the Rose he is the only pilot of McLaren Mercedes who has rolled in the days of 1:14 in tests which they have been developed this week in the Catalan layout. The new asphalt has been taking adhesion as the single-seaters have rolled, which has done the route fastest day to day. The new car of this season is being very fast and stable in track and it has not either had any problem of motor during all the preseason. In the three days of tests, Pedro of the Rose, Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen has added 447 returns and the MP4/20 like one of the cars is outlined to beat this season next to Renault and Ferrari, in this order. Of the thirteen pilots today in track, second the controls of their Renault have had left GianCar it Fisichella, 1:14.608, and third Rubens Barrichello, 1:14.641. TIMES OF TODAY, Thursday 17 of February: Pilot Equipment Time Returned 1. Pedro of the McLaren Rose Mercedes (m) 1:14.542 112 2. Giancar It Fisichella Renault (m) 1:14.608 121 3. Rubens Barrichello Ferrari ( 1:14.641 111 4. Michael Schumacher Ferrari ( 1:14.920 78 5. Christian Klien Network Bull Racing (m) 1:14.982 46 6. Fernando Alonso Renault (m) 1:15.021 104 7. David Coulthard Network Bull Racing (m) 1:15.094 76 8. Nick Heidfeld Williams BMW (m) 1:15.578 78 9. Vitantonio Liuzzi Network Bull Racing (m) 1:15.656 82 10. Antonio Pizzonia Williams BMW (m) 1:15.794 99 11. Ralf Schumacher Williams BMW (m) 1:16.281 82 12. Narain Karthikeyan Jordan ( 1:17.589 74 13. Tiago Monteiro Jordan ( 1:18.372 43 Source: Circuit de Catalunya

I wish you a very nice weekend!

[Raquel]

Pardon, the text has been copied without differentiating the paragraphs. I feel it

[pca]

Pedro of the Rose????

I think it would be better not to use a translation tool, and then copy directly here. I think this operation it's very easy for our friends of the English forum and they don't need our help to do it.

In the future, a little summary with the most important of the Spanish news section and a "human" translation to English it will be enough.

It's just my opinion, .

[Raquel]

Sorry...

[Pethead]

A summary is quite enough, thanks! What are Pedro´s chances of getting a seat for 2006? Does he have any sponsors or is pure talent enough these days? I hope pure talent, but it´s very though to get a seat out there! Hasn´t Pedro got some big Petrol Company-sponsors, i´m sure I read it somewhere?

[pca]

When Pedro was in Arrows, and before like tester in Jordan, he had the support of Repsol, the Spanish oil company, (it's not a public company).

At this moment Pedro, and since he left Arrows, has not any support from any sponsor. I think Repsol is interested in F1, but perhaps with a younger spanish driver.

The chances of getting a seat for 2006 are not very high . Pedro believes that this role of third driver on Fridays will help him to get a seat... but it's not easy. Without a sponsor the most likely option is Team Dubai F1, which is only a project.

Pedro doesn't want to drive to Jordan or Minardi, so sponsors are not important. If he doesn't find a good seat, i.e. middle team, he prefers to be tester of a big team like McLaren.

[pca]

2/21/2005

DE LA ROSA, FASTEST IN VALENCIA

Pedro de la Rosa has done today its first day of tests in the Circuit Ricardo Tormo of Valencia. The Spanish has obtained the best time with a crono of 1:09.023 and has been the driver who has run more distance with a total of 125 laps. His teammate Alex Wurz has finalized the day second, with a time of 1:09.053 and 107 laps. Both McLaren drivers have been testing with the car of last season, MP4/19B, with new adaptations.

De la Rosa will continue testing tomorrow and on Wednesday in the track of Valencia to complete the testing programme that McLaren Mercedes has planned before the GP of Australia.

1. Pedro de la Rosa McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:09.023 125
2. Alex Wurz McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:09.053 107
3. Michael Schumacher Ferrari ( 1:11.338 90
4. Mark Webber Williams BMW (M) 1:11.513 81
5. Rubens Barrichello Ferrari ( 1:11. 672 84

Source of the testing times: Circuit Ricardo Tormo of Valencia.

[pca]

21 February 2005 18:06

TEST REPORT, VALENCIA - DAY ONE
Date: Monday 21st February 2005
Location: Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia, Spain
Drivers: Pedro de la Rosa and Alex Wurz
Weather: Overcast and cold with a slight breeze.
Air temperature 15 degrees Celsius
Track temperature 22 degrees Celsius
Laps run: Pedro de la Rosa 128 Laps
Alex Wurz 107 laps
Kilometres covered: Pedro de la Rosa 504 km
Alex Wurz 422 km
Best lap time of the day: Pedro de la Rosa 1m09.030s
Best lap times of Team McLaren Mercedes drivers: Pedro de la Rosa 1m09.030s (1st)
Alex Wurz 1m09.047s (2nd)
Duration of test: Three days

The Team McLaren Mercedes team commenced its final test before the start of the 2005 FIA Formula One World Championship in Australia on Sunday 6th March, at the Valencia circuit in the South of Spain today.

Pedro de la Rosa and Alex Wurz were in action, both behind the wheel of the team’s interim MP4-19B cars, as the MP4-20s for the 2005 season returned to the McLaren Technology Centre to be stripped and rebuilt before leaving for Australia on Friday 25th January, following their final test in Barcelona last week.

This week’s test is another multi-team session, with Ferrari and Williams also present. Today’s session saw red flag’s halting running three times. Despite this, the Team McLaren Mercedes team were able to complete a number of long runs during the course of the first day at the 3.940 km Valencia circuit. Both drivers completed a combined total of approximately 926 km - three times a Grand Prix distance.

The programme for both drivers concentrated on simulating the Friday of a Grand Prix weekend, including the morning and afternoon practice sessions. This included tyre comparison work with both Pedro and Alex swapping between the prime and option Michelins during the course of the day.

Pedro set the fastest time today (1m09.030). Meanwhile Alex finished second out of the five drivers at the track being just 0.017 of a second slower than Pedro (1m09.047s), putting in 107 laps. Neither driver had any reported problems.

PEDRO DE LA ROSA
“We completed another constructive session today in Valencia in the interim cars. This test is of course the final session before we race for the first time in Australia in 12 days time, and we spent the day simulating all the running that will take place on the Friday of a Grand Prix, obtaining some useful results.”

ALEX WURZ
“We have put in a significant number of miles today, although we are using the MP4-19B’s we are continuing to test hard to take advantage of all track time before the Australian Grand Prix. We have a good set of data from today and are looking forward to building on it tomorrow.”

Source: http://www.mclaren.co.uk

[pca]

2/22/2005

PEDRO DE LA ROSA WILL TRAIN TOMORROW IN VALENCIA

The team McLaren Mercedes has not been able to test today in the Circuit Ricardo Tormo because the teams has reached an agreement to not train at the same time in two circuits.

Kimi Raikkonen has trained today in Silverstone with the MP4/20, whereas Pedro de la Rosa and Alex Wurz will test tomorrow in Valencia with MP4/19B units.

[pca]

2/22/2005

LAST TEST OF PEDRO DE LA ROSA BEFORE AUSTRALIA

Pedro de la Rosa has tested today in the track of Ricardo Tormo in spite of the intense rain that has fallen during all the day. De la Rosa has obtained the third best time, 1:24.309, with rain tires and has been able to complete a total of 17 laps.

It has been the last test day for De la Rosa before the Grand Prix of Australia, where he will be driving on Friday as third driver of the team McLaren Mercedes.

1. Michael Schumacher Ferrari ( 1:21.766 58
2. Rubens Barrichello Ferrari ( 1:23.636 14
3. Pedro de la Rosa McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:24.309 17
4. Nick Heidfeld BMW Williams (M) 1:26.582 60

Source of the times: Circuit Ricardo Tormo

[Pethead]

Thanx Rca! Keep the new comin´!

[Pethead]

Thanx Rca! Keep the new comin´!

[pca]

3/1/2005

"Australia wil be a very special GP for me because although I’m not going to drive on Sunday, I’ll help the Fridays. I have improved my situation respect last year. The team will value my work on Sunday, when the race finishes. My work will be focused in helping the team to choose the better tyres."

Quote of Pedro from Australian Grand Prix Preview:

http://www.pedrodelarosa.com/angles/news.a...484&ult=484