De la Rosa Still Pushing for F1 Seat in 2003

Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa says he is still fighting for a Formula One seat next season after being dumped by the Jaguar team at the start of November.

The 31-year old Catalan driver and teammate Eddie Irvine were replaced by Australian Mark Webber and Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia at the Milton Keynes team, despite de la Rosa still having a year of his contract left to run.

Despite very few racing seats available for the 2003 season, de la Rosa, speaking for the first time since he left Jaguar, says he is still pushing to be in Formula One next year.

"People have supported me 100% right from the start and I only have words of gratitude for them," de la Rosa was quoted as saying on his official website. "I would like to tell them that I'm OK and that I'm going to keep fighting to get a seat in F1 for next season.

"I'm not the kind of guy that gives up easily, specially now that I'm feeling better than ever physically and in terms of experience as a driver. I didn't expect this to happen but I'll keep going with my chin high up and my fists closed."

Only Minardi, who are yet to announce their drivers for 2003, and Jordan, who are rumoured to be looking for a replacement for Japanese star Takuma Sato, have racing seats remaining for next year.

Arrows, who also dumped de la Rosa at the start of 2001, will also have to hire two drivers if they finally race in 2003.