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Pedro takes risky approach

Arrows-Supertec driver Pedro de la Rosa defended his early race aggression, which ended both his Spanish Grand Prix and that of Jean Alesi on lap two, claiming that his tactics were justified

"I was last on the grid so I had to take some risks," said the Spaniard. "I had a quicker car than most of the guys around me."

De la Rosa had made up several places by the time he dragged up to the back of Jean Alesi's Prost. Once again the French cars were not handling their best, and De la Rosa felt justified in lunging at Alesi into Campsa, turn 9.

"I had three-quarters of the car inside him but he just closed the door. I don't know whether he saw me or not as he only looks to the front, never in his mirrors, probably to concentrate keeping the car on the track."

Both cars were out, Alesi instantly, and de la Rosa a few hundred metres down the track, as he realised his damage was terminal.

"The car is very good," he added.

"It was a difficult race, but the strategy when you start in 22nd has to be to take some risks, as there's no point just running around at the back."

De la Rosa started from 22nd when his ninth fastest time was disallowed for fuel irregularities.

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