62 replies to this topic

[Abranet]

De la Rosa signs for ferrari as a test driver.

Thoughts? Can't be a bad thing going forward for the F2013. Plenty of testing & simulator experience.

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/105129

Edited by Abranet, 16 January 2013 - 10:22.

[prty]

I think PDLR can bring a lot of perspective, which maybe Ferrari lack, so it is a good thing.

[UPRC]

De la Rosa signs for ferrari as a test driver.

Thoughts? Can't be a bad thing going forward for the F2013. Plenty of testing & simulator experience.

http://www.autosport...t.php/id/105129

I was a little surprised, but Pedro seems to be very respected in the paddock as a test driver and such. It can only be good for Ferrari. He's chummy with Fernando as well, isn't he?

[noikeee]

Been a couple years since he was there, but never hurt to hire people with good technical knowledge attained at McLaren.;)

Edited by noikeee, 16 January 2013 - 11:15.

[Nonesuch]

De la Rosa signs for ferrari as a test driver.

Well well, look at that. Let's hope that - given the situation with the wind-tunnel in previous years - De la Rosa will be able to confirm that "all the information from Ferrari is very reliable" in 2013 (and beyond).

Edited by Nonesuch, 16 January 2013 - 11:22.

[F1ultimate]

Been a couple years since he was there, but never hurt to hire people with good technical knowledge attained at McLaren.;)

Absolutely, and it's not like he had other compelling offers on the table. So a test driver role at Ferrari is best of the worst for him, while Ferrari like you say, can extract competitor knowledge from him for relatively cheap.

A match made in heaven.

[prty]

Absolutely, and it's not like he had other compelling offers on the table.

Apparently Hamilton also wanted to bring him to Mercedes.

[Tract1on]

Yes, has to be a good thing for Ferrari

I think PDLR can bring a lot of perspective, which maybe Ferrari lack, so it is a good thing.

[jcbc3]

Apparently Hamilton also wanted to bring him to Mercedes.

source?

(not that I doubt, because I know PdLR has a big star in F1. I just haven't seen that rumour before)

[showtime]

Absolutely, and it's not like he had other compelling offers on the table.

He had talks with Merc and Williams. Rumours about McLaren too. It doesn't seem to me that lack of offers was a problem.

http://www.elmundo.e...1358114953.html

[kosmos]

source?

(not that I doubt, because I know PdLR has a big star in F1. I just haven't seen that rumour before)

Antonio Lobato said on twitter this morning that Hamilton wanted him too, Lobato is a close friend of De la Rosa, 99% of being true.


Really surprised by the news, Pedro has a lot of experience, good news.

[SonnyViceR]

It's not like their test drivers are allowed to test, so ultimately this is pointless.

[showtime]

It's not like their test drivers are allowed to test, so ultimately this is pointless.

He was not signed to test on track but to test on simulator, not pointless at all.

[Igorr]

It's not like their test drivers are allowed to test, so ultimately this is pointless.

Why would they hire him if it doesnt make sense? I am pretty sure they would not waste money if he does not bring any knowledge and experience that could be valuable for the future cars.

[Arry2k]

He was not signed to test on track but to test on simulator, not pointless at all.

Exactly - not dissimilar to previous McLaren role.

[Risil]

He was not signed to test on track but to test on simulator, not pointless at all.

Heh, F1 is weird.

What's DLR's relationship with Alonso like?

[Francesc]

He signed as a test driver but not allowed to touch the car.

[Diablobb81]

Heh, F1 is weird.

What's DLR's relationship with Alonso like?

They are email friends.

[KnucklesAgain]

Heh, F1 is weird.

What's DLR's relationship with Alonso like?

Domenicali denied that de la Rosa's friendship with Alonso was key to his signing.

"Clearly the fact that Pedro has a good relationship with Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa is a positive factor, but the decision is purely technical," said the team chief.

(from Autosport article)

[fabr68]

Paving the way for Vettel arrival in 2014

j/k

[barrykm]

Great for PDLR and Ferrari

[undersquare]

Oh good for Pedro. I presume Pat Fry had something to do with it.

[Disgrace]

Insert Spygate joke here. But it is a reunion of the working relationship with Alonso and Fry. Quite sensible.

[Mc_Silver]

Welcome to Ferrarilaren Pedro

[Buttoneer]

Oh good for Pedro. I presume Pat Fry had something to do with it.

My first thought too. Pedro was clearly very well respected at McLaren and really knew his way around the engineering team. I wish him well in his new role.

[Smitla321]

They are email friends.

Haha

I hope I'm not the only one that gets this reference!

Edited by Smitla321, 16 January 2013 - 14:11.

[TigersWood]

Alonso, Pat Fry, a thousand engineers, now Pedro de la Rosa.....

THIS A MASTERPLAN BY McLAREN!! To infiltrate in Ferrari, it is very clear, don't you see it?

[Owen]

Insert Spygate joke here. But it is a reunion of the working relationship with Alonso and Fry. Quite sensible.

@MBrundleF1
Can't imagine McLaren pleased but smart of Ferrari to get De La Rosa for their sim work/development. Irony of 2007 text to Alonso not lost

[fabr68]

Ferrari is just re-possessing all their know-how from Mclaren

[H2H]

They are email friends.

Very much so.

In any case it could make a lot of sense for Ferrari and De la Rosa. Maybe the recent changes in the engineering department ('Fry&Co') convinced them to make some changes in the way they manage the sim department. An experienced, not too expensive hand devoted 100% to this area could work out well.

Edited by H2H, 16 January 2013 - 14:34.

[Seanspeed]

Cant say I'm excited about this, but I can see how they thought he'd be useful.

[peroa]

@MBrundleF1
Can't imagine McLaren pleased but smart of Ferrari to get De La Rosa for their sim work/development. Irony of 2007 text to Alonso not lost

According to german f1 sites McLaren didn't want to hire him again because he left twice in the last years, that didn't go down well with some people.

[kosmos]

According to german f1 sites McLaren didn't want to hire him again because he left twice in the last years, that didn't go down well with some people.

If that's true, maybe this people need to check with the doctor, reserve/test driver get a chance to drive, what should he do?, drive and F1 car in real tracks or stay in woking burning his eyes with the simulator.....

Edited by kosmos, 16 January 2013 - 15:04.

[Buttoneer]

Not sure why that's funny because it makes McLaren's refusal to re-sign him even more sensible.

He's a known quantity and a very real prospect for other teams, and he would rather drive a car than a simulator.

[KnucklesAgain]

Not sure why that's funny because it makes McLaren's refusal to re-sign him even more sensible.

He's a known quantity and a very real prospect for other teams, and he would rather drive a car than a simulator.

I don't see how it's sensible to not re-sign Pedro in particular, because every single test/simulator driver they can hire will leave when he gets a chance to race on track.

[Buttoneer]

Pedro is a known quantity and McLaren have let him go before. I'm not saying that means nobody should hire him, only that it's quite reasonable for McLaren to have passed on the offer.

[fabr68]

According to german f1 sites McLaren didn't want to hire him again because he left twice in the last years, that didn't go down well with some people.

That sounds like an absurd rumour. A test driver that goes into actual competition and gets actual taste of new regulatons, tires, different machinery is not doing anything wrong. As a test driver by profession this is the best curriculum to have in the limited-null testing of today's F1.

[peroa]

That sounds like an absurd rumour. A test driver that goes into actual competition and gets actual taste of new regulatons, tires, different machinery is not doing anything wrong. As a test driver by profession this is the best curriculum to have in the limited-null testing of today's F1.

Why absurd? He left twice, over night. I don't think it has done any good to their schedules and planning.

[jstrains]

I am surprised but pleased

[Icicle]

They are email friends.

Probably this also why McLaren dint want him?!

[olliek88]

Unexpected and a good move from Ferrari, Pedro was clearly rated highly by Mclaren but i doubt, highly doubt, he has knowledge of anything valuable from Mclaren. The drivers just sit in the sim giving feedback on set up changes/new components rather than having knowledge of anything technical regarding the actual simulator.

[Fastcake]

I would say McLaren didn't rehire him because they've built up a new test team with Gary Paffet and Oliver Turvey. There's not really an opening for de la Rosa to return even if they wanted him back.

Seems like a good pick for Ferrari, PDLR has been well regarded as a simulator driver, and Ferrari's competency in that field appears to be lacking.

Edited by Fastcake, 16 January 2013 - 17:13.

[Lone]

Congratulation Pedro De la Rosa. I'm sure you'll be a big contribution to the Ferrari F1 team and their future success.

[Fontainebleau]

Probably this also why McLaren dint want him?!

I suppose we should overlook the fact that he stayed with McLaren till Sauber offered him to drive a car? Or that other people equally involved in the 2007 affair are still working at McLaren? Not to mention that nobody has said that McLaren did not want him.

De la Rosa is very much liked in the paddock, both personally and professionally. Everybody, starting with the top McLaren guys, understood his desire to be a full time driver and not a test one. He has always been loyal to his teams, and his experience is very much valued. I am sure that Whitmarsh would have been very happy to have him back, but that in any case he wishes him well in whichever role he takes.

[JSDSKI]

Unexpected and a good move from Ferrari, Pedro was clearly rated highly by Mclaren but i doubt, highly doubt, he has knowledge of anything valuable from Mclaren. The drivers just sit in the sim giving feedback on set up changes/new components rather than having knowledge of anything technical regarding the actual simulator.

We might be surprised by the information that can be gathered about cars, adjustments, and strategy, from a test and simulation driver with track experience like PDLR. Remember, this is a guy who has sat in nearly every setup discussion, used every adjustment tool, and tested many many different setups, for a number of teams.

His knowledge and experience can tell engineers a great deal about how mechanical and aero systems are working on opponents cars, their design goals, and how their engineers seek speed through setup. And his Pirelli experience is just another bonus.

[artista]

So, who is the one going to the GPs? Martínez de la Rosa or Gené?

In other words (my fellow Spaniards will know what I mean), who's going to try to put a bit of sense in the TV commentary? Pedro or Marc?
Please, please, let it be Pedro...

[BackOnTop]

So, who is the one going to the GPs? Martínez de la Rosa or Gené?

In other words (my fellow Spaniards will know what I mean), who's going to try to put a bit of sense in the TV commentary? Pedro or Marc?
Please, please, let it be Pedro...

It will definitely be De La Rosa... Or why hire him in the first place if he's going to get a desk job.

He is also hired surely at Alonso's recommendation... to basically strengthen Alonso's car requirements & development focus. Alonso's in Ferrari upto 2016... So PDLR will remain too as Ferrari still continues & tries to put the team together that'll give the Championships.

He will be a big help for sure overall with his experience. I don't know anything about your commentary part.

Edited by BackOnTop, 16 January 2013 - 19:53.

[Raziel]

What is next? Jonathan Neale, Paddy Love or even Whitmarsh to Ferrari? Wow McLaren as a Ferrari's favorite market place they lured way to many people from Macca in last couple of years and all that started with Alonso

[Clatter]

What is next? Jonathan Neale, Paddy Love or even Whitmarsh to Ferrari? Wow McLaren as a Ferrari's favorite market place they lured way to many people from Macca in last couple of years and all that started with Alonso

If they lured FA from Mac why did he have to spend 2 years at Renault?

[Lone]

What is next? Jonathan Neale, Paddy Love or even Whitmarsh to Ferrari? Wow McLaren as a Ferrari's favorite market place they lured way to many people from Macca in last couple of years and all that started with Alonso

Nah, I think their main plan is to unite Alonso with Ron Dennis. That would be the coup of the decade, wouldn't it?