Perennial F1 journeyman Pedro de la Rosa will get his first chance to race in a grand prix since 2002 when he substitutes the injured Juan-Pablo Montoya at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

Perennial F1 journeyman Pedro de la Rosa will get his first chance to race in a grand prix since 2002 when he substitutes the injured Juan-Pablo Montoya at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.


The Spaniard started his career as a test driver for Jordan, and with support from fuel giant Repsol secured a race seat with the now-defunct Arrows team for 1999. He stayed with the team in 2000 and had a contract for 2001, but at the last minute was dropped by Arrows and had to settle for a test-driving role at the Prost Grand Prix. However, De la Rosa was drafted in to Jaguar shortly afterward to replace Luciano Burti. He stayed at Jaguar Racing in 2001 and 2002, but was then dropped and disappeared from F1 for a while.


However, De le Rosa’s career has seen a revival since he was recruited as McLaren-Mercedes’ test driver. And, following Montoya’s withdrawal from the Bahrain Grand Prix due to an injury he sustained while playing tennis last week, the Woking-based team has nominated the Spaniard to race the MP4-20 in the Colombian’s place. The team's other test driver, Alexander Wurz, will pilot the third car during Friday's two practice sessions it was announced on Wednesday.


Following a number of tests, scans and an examination by one of McLaren's medical consultants, Juan Pablo was advised that he should rest to allow the injury (a hairline fracture to his left scapula) to heal. Further scans will take place in two weeks time, but the team expects Montoya to compete in the San Marino Grand Prix on April 24.


De le Rosa, meanwhile, seems ideally suited to the substitute role. The Spaniard completed 2 168 km of testing with the MP4-20 since late January while Wurz focused on Michelin tyre development with the MP4-19B. After a discussion between the team and Wurz, it was decided that De la Rosa was better equipped to race at the Bahrain Grand Prix. However, following the Bahrain Grand Prix, Wurz will commence his testing programme with the MP4-20, and will be able to share he test driver duties with Pedro at future races.


"I'm obviously disappointed not to be able to race this coming weekend. However driving a Formula One car is hard work and it would be impossible to do with my injury and whilst it's difficult, we have to follow the advice from the medical experts. I'm going to take it easy for a few weeks,” Montoya said.


De la Rosa said: "I would like to wish Juan Pablo a speedy recovery. As one of the test drivers for McLaren this is really an extension of my existing track-side responsibilities. I'm looking forward to the challenge of racing in Bahrain and will do my best. It will be a new experience, as I have not competed in Bahrain before.


However, “I know the team and the car very well from our testing programme and hopefully we will be able to put in a strong performance. I'm definitely going to enjoy this opportunity," he added.

Original article from Car