Former HRT driver Pedro De La Rosa has joined Scuderia Ferrari as a development driver for the 2013 season.The Spaniard, 41, joins compatriots Fernando Alonso and Marc Gene at the Italian squad. He is expected to work almost exclusively on the simulator after team principle Sefano Domenicali confirmed his signing was to 'strengthen one area, namely work in the simulator'. He brings valuable experience to the role after carrying out simulator work for rival squad McLaren in the past.
Making his debut for backmarkers Arrows in 1999 before going on to compete with Jaguar and Sauber, De La Rosa spent six years as a test driver for McLaren where he competed in nine races for the British squad, deputising for Juan Pablo Montoya in both 2005 and 2006. Firstly due to a tennis injury to the Columbian, and secondly after he left in 2006 to race in NASCAR.
Already known to Ferrari engineers after running the Prancing Horse's engines at Sauber, De La Rosa took to twitter to give his thanks to his new employers.
In addition to their new signing, Scuderia Ferrari announced the launch date of their 2013 challenger with the new car set to be unveiled on the 1st of February. Domenicali, speaking at Ferrari's annual 'Wrooom!' press event also confirmed that Jules Bianchi, Davide Rigon, Andrea Bertolini as well as Gene would remain as test and development drivers despite the new signing. There was no word on Giancarlo Fisichella however. The Italian, who turned 40 this week, has been with the Scuderia in a testing role since the latter part of 2009, also racing for the squad in that year.* Domenicali spoke about Jules Bianchi's future too, stating they were 'trying to find a role for him in F1'. *UPDATE: Giancarlo Fisichella's presence at this week's 'Wrooom!' press event suggests that he wil infact be part of the Scuderia Ferrari team for 2013
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