De la Rosa leaves pregnant wife at home

(GMM) Pedro de la Rosa turned down McLaren boss Ron Dennis' offer that he be allowed to stay home while the 2008 season kicks off in Australia this weekend.

The Spaniard, who attends all the races as the British team's reserve driver, revealed that his wife is "very close" to giving birth to the latest addition to his family.

"But this is my job," de la Rosa, 36, told the sports program El Larguero.

"My team gave me the option (to stay at home), but I preferred to take the risk," he added.