For Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ Spanish test driver, Pedro de la Rosa, the race at the Circuit de Catalunya is an important, and busy, race. In the following, Pedro discusses his thoughts regarding the upcoming Grand Prix.
What are your expectations for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team at the Spanish Grand Prix? “Our expectation is to keep the Malaysia spirit! We have to aim high. I think we can this year and therefore we should. “
How do you feel the MP4-22 will perform during the Grand Prix at the Barcelona circuit?
“Well I’m not sure, I hope it will work here well, but we will have to wait and see. We know the track and traditionally we have always been very quick, but I cannot be sure about it until we are racing. We’ve been working very hard, for me Barcelona is the most demanding circuit for the car, including the engine, aerodynamics and the mechanical side. If the car is quick here, it will be quick elsewhere. We were at Malaysia, which is another track which is similar to Barcelona. “
What is the most important characteristic for a car to have to be quick at the Circuit de Catalunya?
“The Circuit de Catalunya has changed a lot since the introduction of the chicane. The two high speed corners at the end of the lap don’t exist anymore, this means that you won’t need such a strong front end as you normally need in Barcelona. The track is like Malaysia in many ways, you still need a very strong package. It is not hard on the brakes, but it is hard on everything else. You need a strong engine, engine power at the Circuit de Catalunya is particularly important. You have to have a lot of downforce, an efficient car; it is just the whole package. Barcelona is a great test track, because if your car is quick there it is normally quick everywhere. “
This is the home race for you and Fernando, how does it feel to be back in Spain with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team leading both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships?
“It feels good. For me I am not racing, so I just hope that Fernando and Lewis continue the trend of the first few races. “
The Circuit de Catalunya is your home track, what are your favourite memories of the circuit?
“Unfortunately I haven’t had great memories at this track. Since 1999 I’ve raced in several Grands Prix there and I have only finished once. However, my favourite memory would be when in qualifying in 2000 with Arrows when I took ninth on the grid. It was quite remarkable to be in the top ten with a car that was not one of the most competitive. I have only raced once at the track outside of Formula 1, in Formula Renault, that was at the debut race at the venue in 1991. After that I went to Japan and England to race, so whilst I know the circuit well as we have tested there many times, I have not raced there much. “
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