HRT announce 1st driver for 2012 season

Pedro de la Rosa will return to Formula 1 racing with HRT next season after signing a two-year deal with the squad.

The 40-year-old Spaniard is currently a reserve driver for McLaren, but said he was determined to return to racing.

"This is a very important step in my sporting career and one of the most meditated ones I've taken," said de la Rosa. "I'm at a very good stage in terms of maturity and am prepared to take on this challenge, which motivates me hugely.

"When deciding on joining this project, for me there were three decisive factors: my desire to return to active competition, the fact that HRT is a Spanish team and getting to know the people leading this project, Luis Perez-Sala being amongst them."

He acknowledged that he faced a major challenge taking the team forward from its current back of the grid position.

"I'm here to work hard, with modesty and humility, accepting where we are now but keeping in mind where we want to be in two years' time," de la Rosa said.

"For me, this is the time to put into practice everything that I have learnt over the years at international top level racing teams so that we can grow together.

"I am proud that Spain has an F1 team and that I have this opportunity to be its driver. I can only show my gratitude towards HRT for having trusted in me for this.

"Lastly, I can't forget to thank McLaren for allowing me to take this step. I have been very happy over the eight seasons I spent with them, growing as a driver and person. Without them I wouldn't be here today."

Team principal Colin Kolles hailed the addition of de la Rosa as a major step forward for HRT.

"The team's objective has always been to reinforce itself in every aspect: economically, technically and in a sporting aspect," said Kolles.

"Without a doubt, the addition of Pedro de la Rosa for next year will be a fundamental foundation in the development of our project.

"We are a young team that needs to continue progressing and with this incorporation I am convinced that we will do just that.

"Apart from being a great person he is an experienced driver as his career and prestige in Formula 1 prove. I give him my most sincere welcome. I am sure that he will adapt perfectly and that together we will achieve great things."

De la Rosa has competed in 88 grands prix during an F1 career that began with Arrows in 1999. After a stint with Jaguar, he became a McLaren test driver from 2003 to '09, making several stand-in race appearances during that time - including a half-season in '06 after Juan Pablo Montoya's departure.

With the testing ban limited his mileage opportunities in recent years, he returned to racing with Sauber in 2010 but was dropped before the end of the season. He tested for Pirelli for a spell before resuming his old McLaren role, also fitting in a one-off race for Sauber in Montreal this year when he was loaned to the team following Sergio Perez's Monaco injury.

source: autosport

"This is a very important step in my sporting career''........says it all!

Credit to the guy he'd rather be racing in a crap car then stuck as a test/reserve driver at Mclaren

The driver market should really hot up over the coming weeks. It won't be as hot as this time next season but will still be interesting. I still think Kubica is a big part of the driver jigsaw and I reckon an announcement will be coming shortly on his future. If he was completely unable to return to motorsport it would of been announced. Does he follow Pedro's lead and sign for a lower team or does he join Ferrari as test driver to prove his fitness and complete his rehabilitation back to racing in replacing Felipe in 2013. Also the Kimi situation just rumbles on and on!

I like Pedro but he's had so many chances at F1 and even in his prime was nothing remotely special. Even Verstappen left him in the dark as teamates as well as an ageing Irvine. I don't think he knows what he's got himself in for, he's driven that terrible R3 Jaguar but even that pales in comparison to a car 7-8 seconds off the pace.

Crikey! who saw that coming? I feel its a good deal for both parties, De La Rosa brings a chest of a experience and knowledge to a relatively new team and HRT profit from this.
A few things I could pick up from this is that: Liuzzi looks like his Formula One career is going towards the bin, a certain Daniel Ricciardo could be on his way into Toro Rosso and Barrichello is pinning his hopes on Williams.

Liuzzi I feel has hit a wall in his career, could he come back as a reserve role at his old team Force India or even a reserve driver at another old team Toro Rosso? a Renault drive looks unlikely.

Ricciardo in my eyes is all but confirmed at Toro Rosso for 2012, barring Vergne managing to pinch it at the last minute. Bit weird that HRT announce one driver and not both. This suggest possibly a tussle between Buemi if dropped by Toro Rosso, Dani Clos or a GP2 Driver with a bundle of money.

Rubens can deny it all he wants, but this does look like his swansong and a fitting place, in his backyard, Sao Paulo. Surely HRT would have rather had Barrichello then De La Rosa race wise if he was available for 2012? seems that he feels that his drive is secure, pinning his hopes on a drive with Williams or he has called a end on a long and good career.

All we need now is another return in the form of Grosjean with Renault and the return of one of the most iconic, colorful world champions in the sports history Kimi Raikkonen after a 2 year hiatus.

I'm not hugely surprised and think its a sensible move by HRT.

I don't think they signed DLR in the hopes of finishing higher up the grid. As Kolles said, they are a new team, looking to improve in every department. If nothing else, I would think his years of experience as a McLaren test driver will prove valuable in developing future cars.

And its not like a back-of-the-grid team are going to be able to attract top calibre drivers. Pedro's going into it with open eyes and realises his job is going to be to help the team grow and the Spanish connection means its something of a labour of love for him. I hope it works out well for both him and the team.

Think john hit on a good point about Kubica. A good way for him to start returning to full fitness would be to spend some time as a test driver, getting used to being back in a F1 car, building his strength and stamina back up and getting his co-ordination / reflexes back up to speed.

Still would be very surprised if Raikonnen signed for Williams...then again maybe during his time away his attitude and personality have changed. Perhaps he really would fancy the challenge of restoring a fallen team. Would be one hell of a coup for them if he did. I think this is very likely Barrichello's last season in F1 and they probably are searching very hard for a replacement.

I could be wrong but I think Ferrari are actually happy with Massa, since he is an obedient No.2. The last thing they'd want is someone who is going to try and challenge Alonso. I think the real question is: has Massa got the nerve and desire to prove himself and try for a seat at another team?

I can see Liuzzi ending up as a test driver but not sure about Ricciardo moving to Toro Rosso. Both Buemi and Alguesari have been more or less even in terms of performance. Both are still young-ish, developing drivers and I don't see any benefit to TR in putting an even younger, less-experienced driver in one of their cars.

Kentyf1 wrote:
All we need now is another return in the form of Grosjean with Renault and the return of one of the most iconic, colorful world champions in the sports history Kimi Raikkonen after a 2 year hiatus.

Don't think Grosjean is a particularly prospect, to be honest, from what we've seen so far. Also can't believe you described Raikkonen as "colourful". His driving could be exciting at times, but he was one of the least interesting, least personable drivers I've ever seen!

dyrewolfe wrote:

Kentyf1 wrote:
one of the most iconic, colorful world champions in the sports history Kimi Raikkonen after a 2 year hiatus.

can't believe you described Raikkonen as "colourful". His driving could be exciting at times, but he was one of the least interesting, least personable drivers I've ever seen!

He was joking - I think.

I said an announcement would come from Kubica's camp regarding his future above and so it proved right. It looks like it's proving more difficult to recover from his horrific injuries suffered earlier in the year and won't be participating for Renault in the 2012 season starter.

If Kubica can eventually recover from his injuries, which seems highly possible, then I see no point in him signing a new contract at Renault for 2013. His best bet would be to sign for Ferrari as test driver for 2012 (once fit) and replace Massa in 2013. This in my opinion would be one step back and about five forward. Joining Ferrari and a close friend in Alonso would be an opportunity Kubica could not refuse and would give him the platform to race for a team of Ferrari's calibre and therefore he would be able to showcase his true world class ability at a championship contending team which his undoubted quality deserves.