Spain, Nov 5 : Pedro De la Rosa, Spain’s seasoned Formula 1 driver, remains deeply connected to racing more than three decades after entering F1 as a test driver with Jordan in 1998. Today, at 54, he serves as team ambassador for Aston Martin, the modern descendant of the team where his F1 journey began.
“You’re born a racing driver, and you die a racing driver,” De la Rosa said. “Even if I’m not racing now, I still think like one.” His role at Aston Martin spans commercial, marketing, and media duties, but he also enjoys driving hypercars and historic F1 machines, keeping him close to the sport he loves.
De la Rosa’s F1 career included nine seasons and 104 starts, primarily for midfield teams. However, he earned global recognition as one of F1’s most reliable and technically precise test drivers, helping teams fine-tune cars for race-winning performance. His professionalism led to his unanimous election as chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association in 2008, mediating between drivers, teams, and officials.
“What makes a good test driver is adaptability,” he explained. “You’re not testing for yourself; you’re testing for the team.”
After F1, De la Rosa expanded his motorsport influence into Formula E, joining DS Techeetah as technical and sporting director and helping the team win two championships during major transitions. He even drove a Formula E car himself during a private test, gaining firsthand experience of the sport’s unique challenges.
Returning to Aston Martin, De la Rosa has reunited with colleagues from the early days of his career, maintaining a strong team spirit amid a global operation of nearly a thousand staff. He emphasizes transparency and collaboration as the team’s core strengths.
De la Rosa also expressed admiration for fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso, noting the veteran driver’s enduring speed, skill, and determination. “He’s amazing. Still as fast and strong as ever. Every weekend I ask myself what he’ll do to surprise us,” De la Rosa said.
With two Spanish races on the 2025 F1 calendar in Barcelona and Madrid, De la Rosa believes Spain’s motorsport culture remains strong. He highlighted the nation’s outdoor lifestyle, training facilities, and grassroots programs as the foundation for producing world-class talent in F1, rally, and MotoGP.
Looking to the future, De la Rosa hopes young Spanish drivers, including his nephew Bruno del Pino, receive stronger support to sustain Spain’s motorsport legacy. Reflecting on his own journey, he concludes, “I started here, and I want to finish here.”