Q & A with Pedro de la Rosa

Q: Pedro, what does it mean to you to be launching the new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team in your home country?

Pedro e la Rosa: "It is extremely special to be launching the new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team in my country for two reasons: first, because I am Spanish and it is a honour that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have chosen my home country in front of my people. Second, because we are launching the team with Fernando, a fellow Spaniard and World Champion for whom I have a great respect."

Q: How are you looking forward to working with Fernando and Lewis?

De la Rosa: "Fernando is the first World Champion I have ever worked with. That, for me, is already a huge extra motivation. With Lewis we have already worked together in 2006 and get on well."

Q: What are your personal aims for 2007?

De la Rosa: "To help the team to become 2007 World Champions, both the Constructors' and Drivers' titles."

Q: What motivates you in your role as test driver for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes?

De la Rosa: "Working for a team that fights every season to win the World Championships, with top class drivers and top class engineers, mechanics, etc... That is what motivates me."

Q: What are you thoughts on the MP4-22?

De la Rosa: "My thoughts on the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 are that we know what the weaknesses of the MP4-21 were. The engineers have been working hard to cure them, and I believe they have with the MP4-22. Anything else, we will have to wait until we have started to test the car."

Q: How have preparations been progressing with the MP4-22 at the McLaren Technology Centre and Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines?

De la Rosa: "Preparations have been going very well and in a very disciplined manner. I have been working on the simulator since July 2006 at the McLaren Technology Centre, with my main focus the MP4-22.

"Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines have been working quietly and informing us of all their progress. I feel everyone has done their homework and I am looking forward to starting work on developing the car prior to the Australian Grand Prix."

Q: What makes you so passionate about Formula One?

De la Rosa: "I am passionate about Formula1 because when you drive a Formula One car to it's absolute limit, nothing, absolutely nothing, can compare to that feeling."