De la Rosa dreams of replacing Alonso at McLaren

McLaren's Spanish test driver Pedro de la Rosa said on Wednesday that he dreamed of inheriting compatriot Fernando Alonso's vacant seat at the Formula One team next season.

"Everybody wants to be a McLaren driver," the 36-year-old told the Marca website (www.marca.com). "They are a winning team.

"My dream has always been to race and, naturally, it is that possibility that keeps me going as a test driver," added the Spaniard. "I'll try, of course I will."

De la Rosa started eight grands prix for McLaren in 2006 after Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya quit the Mercedes-powered team for a new career in NASCAR. The Spaniard finished second in Hungary last year and had hoped to keep the race seat this year that eventually went to 22-year-old British rookie Lewis Hamilton.

Double world champion Alonso split with McLaren last week after a difficult first season with the team following his switch from Renault.

McLaren have yet to name a replacement and Williams appeared to have ruled out one of the leading candidates when they confirmed Germany's Nico Rosberg in their 2008 lineup on Wednesday.

McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh has said the team have told interested drivers they cannot talk to them unless they can prove they are free to negotiate.

De la Rosa wished Alonso well but said he was ready and available.

"For me it has been a pleasure to work with him (Alonso) and from now on each follows his own path," he said. "I have two more years on my contract with McLaren and want to win the title that we failed to win this year."
(Reuters)