Pedro de la Rosa looks likely to remain Pirelli’s primary test driver this year.<\/p>\n
The Spaniard admitted this week that, contrary to reports, a return to McLaren as reserve driver is unlikely, having failed to compile enough sponsorship to return to the grid with HRT.<\/p>\n
It was also reported that his back-up plan for 2011 was to stay with F1’s new tyre supplier Pirelli, even though the Italian marque has not decided how to replace the ageing 2009 Toyota.<\/p>\n
“Yes,” answered Pirelli’s Paul Hembery when asked at Valencia if de la Rosa, 39, is staying on board for 2011.<\/p>\n
“(He will stay) unless he gets a drive somewhere else in F1, which is not looking likely at the moment.<\/p>\n
“He is a great test driver, we’re delighted with what he’s been doing with us,” added Hembery.<\/p>\n
Hembery also denied that Pirelli has already decided to visibly distinguish the different compounds this year by using different coloured branding on the sidewalls.<\/p>\n
“That is still under discussion with the marketing people,” he insisted.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, contrary to reports that Karun Chandhok has definitely signed to be a reserve driver with Team Lotus this year, the Indian clarified that he has in fact not yet reached a deal.<\/p>\n
The former HRT driver was at Valencia wearing a Lotus jacket on Wednesday, but boss Tony Fernandes said he was just a “guest” of the team.<\/p>\n
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