De la Rosa to partner Kobayashi at Sauber
De la Rosa last raced full-time with Jaguar Racing in 2002
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Sunday, 03, Jan 2010 04:02
By Adam Leveridge
The Sauber team is expected to announce Pedro De la Rosa as Kamui Kobayashi's team-mate for the 2010 season at some point this week, according to reports in the Swiss media.
Swiss newspaper Blick, which has close ties with the Hinwii-based team, said the identity of the outfit's second driver will be revealed soon
Spaniard De la Rosa has been working with the McLaren team as a reserve and test driver ever since 2002, when his contract with Jaguar Racing expired.
He reportedly had until the end of 2009 to tell McLaren whether he would be staying on with the team or not and NZZ am Sonntag on Sunday quoted Peter Sauber as saying that "an experienced man" with "new knowledge for the team" will fill the second seat at the team alongside Kobayashi in 2010, also ruling out Nick Heidfeld.
Sauber also said he is hurt and disappointed that Petronas decided to end their 15-year partnership with the Hinwii-based team, however, he stated that the Malaysian oil firm's departure won't affect the outfit financially.
"We knew that Petronas wanted to be with an automobile manufacturer," said Sauber.
"I am disappointed but not surprised. It has no direct impact on the budget for 2010, but of course it hurts.
"More money is always better, although of course we will try to have a title sponsor."
Sauber has yet to decide on a new name for the team, after BMW opted to withdraw from the sport and it will currently line-up as BMW Sauber F1 when the season begins in March.