de la Rosa joins McLaren as test driver.

Pedro de la Rosa has joined the West McLaren Mercedes team as a test driver to assist David Coulthard, Kimi Raikkonen and 'third driver' Alexander Wurz with the continued dual development of the MP4-17D and the new MP4-18.

The 32-year-old Spaniard made his testing debut for the West McLaren Mercedes team on 12th March 2003 in Jerez, and participated in his second session last week in Barcelona.

"I'm really excited about joining the West McLaren Mercedes team as test driver," said de la Rosa. "I have already taken part in a couple of test sessions for the team and am impressed with the professionalism of everybody involved.

"It was a good feeling to be back behind the wheel of a Formula One car again, and I am looking forward to immersing myself fully in the development programme alongside David, Kimi and Alex."

"As a consequence of the demands of our intensive test and development programme, we felt that it would be beneficial for the entire team to have an additional permanent driver resource," commented Martin Whitmarsh, Managing Director, McLaren International. "We have already used Pedro for a couple of tests immediately following the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix, and the team was impressed with his feedback and application.

"Pedro has substantial Formula One experience, and will therefore be able to maximise the extensive development programme he will undertake for us during the season. We continue to be very pleased with Alex, whose focused and committed work is vital to the team and Alex will remain as reserve driver for Grand Prix weekends."

"Pedro de la Rosa has done a good job and provided us with valuable feedback after the more than 1700 kms he covered in the six days he has already tested for us. Pedro will support our third driver Alexander Wurz in the intensified test programme ahead of us, and we are looking forward to working together with him," said Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz Vice President of Motorsport.

de la Rosa made his Formula One debut in 1998 as test driver for Jordan Grand Prix, and then spent two years with both the Arrows and Jaguar teams competing in the Formula One World Championship.