Question: Pedro, how do you feel after securing a race seat? Did you ever expect to be a full-time diver again?
Pedro de la Rosa: I am extremely happy about this, especially because I have been pushing for it for so many years. The reason I became a test driver was because I always wanted to go back racing. My motivation for testing was to keep on believing in myself and believing that this could happen. So I am extremely happy. I have learned a lot from working with a super team like McLaren Mercedes, and if I am here, it is thanks to them. They have helped me grow as a racing driver and I am a lot better now than when I joined the team back in 2003.
Question: When did your negotiations with Peter Sauber get underway?
Pedro de la Rosa: Peter was very straight with me right from the beginning. I spoke with him for the first time when the team still did not have a grid slot. The first thing that Peter told me was that he’d secure a slot first and then call me. Peter always kept his word. He called me every time he had to and kept me informed about the team’s process during the winter months. He was always very straightforward. There were a lot of other good and experienced drivers out there and that I think made Peter’s decision quite difficult.
Question: Your biggest asset must be your time at McLaren. How would you define your role at your new team?
Pedro de la Rosa: I think my experience is a massive asset. You do not gain experience in a few months or in one year. It is over years that you gain experience and that is what I can bring to the team. I want to help my team mate Kamui (Kobayashi) as well because he is quick, young and inexperienced. We need to be a very strong unit to exploit the team’s great potential and I think that I can contribute to achieving that.
Question: You have moved from a team of splendour to one that has had to dramatically downsize over a short period of time. What is your impression of the Hinwil factory?
Pedro de la Rosa: I am very impressed by the factory, I am hugely impressed by the personnel and the wind tunnel. The wind tunnel I have seen here is really something. It is state of the art and a fantastic tool for the engineers to do a very good job.
Question: As you’ve not yet driven the car, it’ll be tricky to gauge, but how do you think the team will do this season?
Pedro de la Rosa: Well, let’s be realistic. I need to spend more time with the team and with the people. I need to learn more about the 2010 car, and we’ll need to wait until we start testing in February to answer this question. This is my first day at work! We need to set goals that are achievable. However, I would be disappointed if we were not in a position to fight for points on a regular basis.
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