De la Rosa Under No Illusions for 2006

McLaren's test de la Rosa was in talks with the new BMW team until German Nick Heidfeld was signed last month, leaving the Spaniard with few choices to return to racing next year.

"It's difficult. At the moment I have nothing. There are no good seats. When BMW signed Heidfeld a lot of opportunities vanished," de la Rosa told the As newspaper.

De la Rosa has been McLaren's third driver alongside Alex Wurz this year, but the Spaniard got the chance to race at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he finished in fifth place.

The Spaniard believes he has done enough to earn a racing seat, but he is frustrated by the lack of opportunities.

"I don't get it," he said. "I've always been among the quickest on Friday, if not the quickest. In Bahrain I did well. I finished in front of Kimi despite having to qualify first. Then I set the fastest lap. The fastest lap is there for everyone to see, and it was three tenths quicker than Kimi.

"That wasn't enough. Well, I can't do anything else.

"I'm not only what I did in Bahrain. I've done well in all circuits, and the other day at Jerez I was a tenth shy of the record. I think I'm driving well. I did what I had to do. If no one hires me, no one hires me, but I'm very calm. I can't do more."

The 34-year old also believes his age is playing against him.

"If I were 20 I would be Formula One's man of the moment," he said.