De la Rosa to stay at McLaren in 2008, 2009

Pedro de la Rosa

(GMM) Team test driver Pedro de la Rosa says he will remain with McLaren in 2008 and beyond. The Spaniard had been strongly linked with a race seat for Prodrive, but uncertainty about the new team's debut next year led de la Rosa to affirm his commitment to McLaren at the last race of the 2007 season in Brazil.

"I have two more years on my contract and I am very happy with the team," 36-year-old de la Rosa told the Spanish newspaper Marca before leaving Interlagos.

He said Prodrive was an "option" earlier this season.

"It had its logic because I have worked on the development of McLaren cars and it would have been good for them to have a driver who knows the car to perfection.

"The likelihood has cooled considerably," de la Rosa explained. "I doubt that it is going to happen.

"What is clear to me is that in 2009 and 2009 I will be at McLaren. Here I am happy and respected. My relationship with the team is excellent, as always."