Formula 1
De la Rosa to drive third McLaren
McLaren has confirmed that tester Pedro de la Rosa will drive the third car in the Friday practice sessions of race weekends for the first three Grands Prix. The team finished fifth overall in the 2004 constructors' championship and therefore can ...
Published: Feb 16, 2005, 7:10 PM
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McLaren has confirmed that tester Pedro de la Rosa will drive the third car in the Friday practice sessions of race weekends for the first three Grands Prix. The team finished fifth overall in the 2004 constructors' championship and therefore can make use of the third driver rule -- the top four teams may not run an extra car in the practices.
"Pedro has done the majority of the test work on the MP4-20 so far, whilst Alex has been concentrating on the interim car, the MP4-19B," McLaren said in a statement in regards to its choice between de la Rosa and fellow tester Alex Wurz.
"Team McLaren Mercedes is fortunate to have two very good and experienced drivers in Alex Wurz and Pedro de la Rosa who will both work with the team throughout the season. The team will decide who will drive the third car at which of the remaining races based upon the test programme and other commitments."
Unsurprisingly, not so long ago there was some muttering from other teams about McLaren being able to run a third car. Some feel that as former champions, it's a bit unsporting of the Woking squad to do so, but the rules permit it.
BAR had the same grousing last season, after it started as an outsider but proved to be a front runner. It wasn't long before it was dubbed "unfair" that the Brackley squad could run a third car. There's no pleasing some people…
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