De la Rosa: Down but not out of F1

The 29-year-old has spoken out about the way he was dumped by Arrows, and how he had turned down offers from others teams to stay loyal to the Leafield outfit.

"I don't feel a victim, basically because I see more chances in the future," he said. "However, I'm not going to hide my anger because this has happened a month before the start of the championship and all teams, except for Minardi, have their line-ups. I had some offers last summer and I said no to them. Now there are no seats free."

De la Rosa said he had no prior warning of being dumped by Arrows at such short notice and has been shocked by his treatment from the team, for whom he last tested for a matter of weeks ago in Barcelona.

"It took me completely by surprise," he said. "Especially as I flew to England last Friday [January 26] to have my seat-fitting for my new A22 and nobody in the team has talked to me since then."

The Spaniard admits that his chances of racing in Formula 1 this year are remote, although he has been linked with replacing Gaston Mazzacane at Prost GP from the San Marino Grand Prix onwards.

"My chances are small because most teams have got their drivers for the 2001 season," he added. "This means I have to evaluate all possibilities. I would accept being a test driver today in a good team only if they would guarantee me a seat in the 2002 season. The most important thing right now is to see for my future in F1. This is my priority and I have no time to waste."

Despite this hefty blow to his career, de la Rosa is adamant that he won't lose faith in making it to the top in F1.

"It's surprising how I feel more motivated than ever," he said. "I'm probably at my highest level in terms of fitness and mental strength in my career. At the moment I'm focusing on my near future. We are all working hard to make things happen. I won't give up that easily."