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McLaren pays tribute to de la Rosa

Martin Whitmarsh says that Pedro de la Rosa was "a big motivational presence" at McLaren © Sutton Images

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• De la Rosa joins HRT for 2012
  

• Drivers:
• Pedro de la Rosa
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• Martin Whitmarsh

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• McLaren

McLaren has paid tribute to its test and reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa as he prepares to join HRT for 2012.

De la Rosa first joined McLaren from Jaguar in 2003 as a test driver, and made nine grand prix starts for the team before leaving to lead Sauber in 2010. After being replaced by Nick Heidfeld he tested for Pirelli before rejoining McLaren, but will leave the team to join HRT on a two-year deal as one of its race drivers next season. Whitmarsh said that de la Rosa probably didn't get the credit he deserved for his role in McLaren's successes during his time with the team.

"Pedro's contribution to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has been fantastically valuable - perhaps even more valuable than may be apparent to outsiders in fact - ever since he joined us in 2003," Whitmarsh said. "As a test driver, he's been extraordinarily hard-working - on track and, latterly, more often, in our simulator - and his feedback has been reliable and expert.

"But his contributions have gone wider and deeper than that: Pedro is the archetypal team player, a big motivational presence in our team, and, perhaps because of that, he's someone whom I personally will always count as a true friend."

Whitmarsh added that he understood why de la Rosa wanted to leave, and that he left with the best wishes of the team.

"In 2010 and 2011 he drove some races for the Sauber team - and, although he's always approached his test and development work with McLaren with energy and enthusiasm, he remains a racer at heart. For that reason, we understand and support his decision to join HRT as a race driver, and we wish him well. It goes without saying, however, that he'll be missed."

De la Rosa also thanked the team for his time with them, and for allowing him to take up the offer of a race seat.

"After more than a decade in Formula 1, I'll always think of Woking as a second home," de la Rosa said. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank sincerely everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for helping me develop into a much more complete driver, and person, than I was when I first joined the team back in 2003. Of course, the happiest McLaren moment for me personally was finishing second in Hungary in 2006, but I'm just as proud of helping Lewis [Hamilton] and the team to the 2008 drivers' world championship - a genuine team effort - and helping to develop a fantastic series of cars that won grands prix throughout my entire time with the team.

"Finally, I want to thank Martin [Whitmarsh] for giving me the opportunity to follow my heart. He's not only been one of my strongest supporters throughout my career, but also a very good friend to me and my family. I regard Vodafone McLaren Mercedes as the best and most professional team in Formula 1 and, while I'm proud to be taking on a new challenge in my life and career, there will always be a special place in my heart for my friends, the hard-working men and women of Woking, for whom I have a huge amount of respect and admiration."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.