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De la Rosa joins Ferrari

Pedro de la Rosa was without a drive following the demise of HRT © Sutton Images

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Pedro de la Rosa has been announced as a development driver at Ferrari to work on the team's simulator.

Having raced for HRT last season, de la Rosa was left without a drive when the team closed its doors at the end of 2012. Previously a McLaren test driver for over eight years, de la Rosa brings with him a wealth of experience having also started 104 grands prix for Arrows, Jaguar, McLaren, Sauber and HRT.

"It is amazingly motivating to be working for a team like Ferrari, not just because of what it represents in the history of Formula 1 and motoring in general, but also because it will be a completely new and very stimulating experience for me," de la Rosa said. "I really hope I can get to work as soon as possible and to help in the development of the car. I am happy to be collaborating with Fernando [Alonso] again and also to be working with Felipe [Massa]. There's not much time until Australia, but there is a lot to do and I am available to help the team from right now."

Team principal Stefano Domenicali said de la Rosa's main role would be to help the team's simulation work.

"We decided to add de la Rosa to our group of drivers mainly to strengthen one area, namely work in the simulator, which with the current regulations regarding testing, is becoming ever more important," Domenicali said.

De la Rosa will be reunited with Fernando Alonso at Ferrari after the pair worked together at McLaren in 2007. He has been recruited to work on the team's simulator with Ferrari currently upgrading its wind tunnel. The team is using the Toyota wind tunnel in Cologne to develop its 2013 car, which it also confirmed will be launched on February 1.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.