De la Rosa returns to McLaren
Pedro de la Rosa will return to the McLaren team as test and reserve driver from this season, the British squad announced on Wednesday
De la Rosa, who was Pirelli's test driver following his exit from the Sauber team last year, had joined McLaren back in 2003, and spent a seven-year stint with the team.
"Of all the teams I've driven for in Formula 1, McLaren is the one that really feels like home," said de la Rosa, who raced for Sauber last season before he was replaced by Nick Heidfeld with five races to go.
"So I'm very excited about returning to the team to help push the development of the MP4-26.
"Lewis and Jenson already have an extremely positive and productive working relationship - so, building on and adding to their existing rapport, I'm aiming to do everything I can to help them get even more from our car, our engineers and our technical resources back at the McLaren Technology Centre."
The team also confirmed that Gary Paffett will be retained despite de la Rosa's return.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh added: "I know I speak for all my colleagues when I say that I'm delighted that Pedro has chosen to return to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
"He rejoins us with even greater experience, and his motivation and attention to detail remain as sharp as ever. His recruitment adds considerable strength in depth to our driver line-up.
"With two world champion race drivers in Lewis and Jenson, and two of the world's most experienced and capable development drivers in Pedro and Gary, we feel we have a quartet of talent that is absolutely second-to-none.
"Meanwhile, we wish Gary a very successful season in the DTM series with Mercedes-Benz - and are delighted that, away from the world's racetracks, he'll continue to give us the benefit of his considerable technical and developmental abilities."
2021 IndyCar champion Palou joins McLaren as F1 reserve driver
2021 IndyCar champion Palou joins McLaren as F1 reserve driver 2021 IndyCar champion Palou joins McLaren as F1 reserve driver
Alonso: US GP protest decision will dictate if F1 is heading in "right direction"
Alonso: US GP protest decision will dictate if F1 is heading in "right direction" Alonso: US GP protest decision will dictate if F1 is heading in "right direction"
The story of the 2011 Italian Grand Prix
The story of the 2011 Italian Grand Prix The story of the 2011 Italian Grand Prix
Piastri: Becoming “more comfortable” in McLaren F1 car led to Q3 charge
Piastri: Becoming “more comfortable” in McLaren F1 car led to Q3 charge Piastri: Becoming “more comfortable” in McLaren F1 car led to Q3 charge
Piastri has no regrets over McLaren F1 switch
Piastri has no regrets over McLaren F1 switch Piastri has no regrets over McLaren F1 switch
Why Piastri being "almost constantly a little unhappy" pre-F1 debut pleases McLaren
Why Piastri being "almost constantly a little unhappy" pre-F1 debut pleases McLaren Why Piastri being "almost constantly a little unhappy" pre-F1 debut pleases McLaren
Tanak: M-Sport "car and me, a mismatch" in WRC Mexico
Tanak: M-Sport "car and me, a mismatch" in WRC Mexico Tanak: M-Sport "car and me, a mismatch" in WRC Mexico
MotoGP sprint races: Everything you need to know
MotoGP sprint races: Everything you need to know MotoGP sprint races: Everything you need to know
Frijns makes Formula E comeback with Abt after Sebring race return
Frijns makes Formula E comeback with Abt after Sebring race return Frijns makes Formula E comeback with Abt after Sebring race return
Hamilton being hurt by specific design element on W14 F1 car
Hamilton being hurt by specific design element on W14 F1 car Hamilton being hurt by specific design element on W14 F1 car
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much
Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much Why Mercedes is fronting up to its F1 mistakes too much
How a dynamic design tool has grown in F1 importance
How a dynamic design tool has grown in F1 importance How a dynamic design tool has grown in F1 importance
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.