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Pedro de la Rosa embraces Pirelli as test driver

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Pedro de la Rosa embraces Pirelli as test driver
Pirelli has announced Pedro de la Rosa as the official Formula One test driver for the 2011 season. The place was previously occupied by Nick Heidfeld who has now taken De la Rosa’s position behind BMW Sauber’s wheel.
This Italian multinational company has replaced Bridgestone by signing a contract with the sport earlier this year. It’s a 3 year contract, starting from 2011, making the company the sole tyre supplier to all Formula One teams.
After carrying the initial tests successfully this year, the company is ready to make its final steps to initiate the complete supply for the upcoming season, by signing De la Rosa as its major test driver.
The Spaniard while talking to the official Formula One website expressed his views by saying that he feels very pleased after inking the contract with Pirelli. He said, "Tyre testing is something I've always enjoyed as it's a very big challenge, especially
in F1. The information you can get from telemetry and sensors is valuable, but nothing replaces the individual feeling of a driver with new tyres so I hope I can be a real asset to Pirelli.”

The early testing for Pirelli was carried out by German racer Heidfeld who has now changed places with Pedro De la Rosa, moving to BMW Sauber. Singapore saw Heidfeld’s first race in Formula One since the last race held in 2009 in Abu Dhabi.
So far, both the drivers seem satisfied in their new roles and are determined to perform to the best of their abilities.
As the old Sauber driver went for his company, he stated, “There's not a lot of time left and a huge amount of work to do, but I'm very much looking forward to it and I am sure that our collaboration will be a success and a lot of useful work has been done
already and now we have the opportunity of taking it forward."

The 39-year-old has driven as McLaren's third driver for many years. As a result, he has immense experience of Formula One racing. He is one of the oldest drivers in the Formula One caravan which is why he understands the demands of present day racing. Moreover,
Heidfeld has a strong grip over the sports’ past and the way it has changed over the years.
The test drives with Pirelli would be carried on Toyota TF109, which is to be used as a test car for the very first time. It is hoped that test driving would begin in Spain early next month. The Frenchman Romain Grosjean will be driving alongside De la Rosa
for the Pirelli tests.

The company carried test drives last week in Monza which will be helpful for Pirelli to design their 2011 tyres. These initial tests were carried out by Grosjean and Heidfeld. Long runs were completed by both the drivers as they drove around 30 to 40 laps,
collecting data regarding the resilience and consistency of the tyres in some very warm circumstances.

De la Rosa has run eighteen races with BMW Sauber this season and was only able to bag six points all through the season, initially due their inability to find a compatible car and latter on because he has not shown great form all through the season.
Moreover, he also retired in six of the races and finished only once amongst the top ten at the Hungarian Grand Prix last month. However, the team has not shown a lot of satisfaction from his performances. The team has a total of 27 points so far as 21 points
have been earned by the Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi.
As De la Rosa moves ahead for his new assignment, he is thrilled and excited and hopes to have a better time than he has had earlier thais season.

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