De la Rosa signed for HRT

Pedro de la Rosa returns to the Formula 1 race driver for 2012. Catalan, McLaren tester yet reached an agreement with HRT for the next two seasons, so the next year we will see a command of Spanish to a Spanish car.

"The team HRT F1 Team continues to firm steps forward in his solid project for the 2012 season. Following recent technical announcements and with a new home in Spain, HRT goes one step further and announced that Pedro de la Rosa will pilot the team next season, "said the statement.

As reported by the team, taking the services of Catalan "was a cherished goal and a fundamental pillar for the HRT F1 Team" within the new project that started in July following the acquisition of the team by Thesan Capital.

De la Rosa will join the team next January and will do it for two seasons. The alliance was possible "thanks to the interest of all parties, but ultimately it is thanks to the support of his current team, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, which has made it possible to make a success of the agreement," he adds.


Kolles, delighted
the other hand, the team's sporting director, Colin Kolles, is convinced that the arrival of De la Rosa will be a "cornerstone" to develop their new project and did not hesitate to give "most hearty welcome." "We are a young team that needs to move forward and with this addition I am convinced that what we do. In addition to a great person, a great professional and his record and reputation in Formula 1 is shown. I'm sure it will fit the perfection and achieve great things together, "said the Romanian.

Meanwhile, Luis Perez-Sala expiloto, HRT F1 Team sports consultant, did not hesitate to describe as "great news" the signing of Catalan. "Thanks to your skills and experience we are confident that we will take a quantum leap. I want to thank Pedro confidence and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes also by their willingness to us to reach a positive agreement for all," he said.

The Barcelona on Tuesday will give a press conference at the headquarters of the National Sports Council (12.30 hours) which will be joined by Mark Saul Ruiz, CEO of HRT F1 Team, Luis Perez-Sala, HRT F1 Sporting Advisory Team and Carlos Gracia, president of the Royal Spanish Automobile Federation.