Q:
When did the cℱonversations to close this deal with HRT begin? When wa𝓡s it signed?

Pedro de la Rosa:
Because of my relationship with Luis P?rez-Sala, we started talking about HRT's project for 2012 already back in July. To begin with, I didn't contemplate joining but the morಞe I got to know ab🐷out it week by week, and I saw what they were doing and how they were doing it, I understood that I had to be a part of this Spanish project. The deal was signed a few days ago.

Q:
What does it mean to you to be the first official Spanish driver in the first ever Spa𒁏nish t꧂eam to take part in a whole F1 championship?

Pedro de la Rosa:
For me it is an honour to be their driver. It couldn't be another way, a truly Spanish team with a Spanish driver. Nothing could make me🌊 happier than this and, although I'm aware of all the work we have ahead of us, it's a fascinating task which will require everyone's support.

Q:
What attracted you to this project?

Pedro de la Rosa:
Various things attracted me towards it, but mainly the fact that it's a Spanish team. Right now they're at the back but their potential to grow is tremendous. What convinced me was the serious a🧸nd realistic approach of Luiz P?rez-Sala and Sa?l Ruiz de Marcos back in July and how they have done everything they said without making too much noise bﷺut in a professional and disciplined way.

Q:
What role did McLaඣren play in🍷 you making this decision?

Pedro de la Rosa:
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes helped me take this step. It's no secret that I had a co🌼ntract with McLaren for the next few years so this was only possible because of them. But contractual matters apart, I know that without my 8 year learning curve at McLaren I would not be here today, so I can only thank them because today I am a much better driver than when I joined them in 2003.

Q:
What do you think you can contribute to the team?

Pedro de la Rosa:
Above all, I am here to contribute with hard work, but also with the experience that I've accumulated over the years at big teams. The fact is that I'm coming to a small, modest S✃panish team and together we are going to help it grow so that Spain can be proud of its team. It's a David versus Goliath situation, which is extremely exciting.

Q:
What are your targets at HRT?

Pedro de la Rosa:
It's too early to set myself a target. Right now the most important thing is to set the bases for this project and to grow and be true ꦿto our style: perseverance, work, determination and humility.෴ The car will be a result of this process, but we have to work hard to be the best of the new teams.

Q:
Will you continuღe to receive the backing of your personal sponsors?

Pedro de la Rosa:
The aim is to continue to work with the sponsors I've always hadไ, as usual.

Q:
You were a pioneer in this spo♋rt, you made ꦐyour debut in F1 12 years ago and you have stayed at the very top since then, what is the key to your success?

Pedro de la Rosa:
The key for me is to sleep well and get up every morning with the streng🧜th and desire to take on difficult tasks and give my all. And like almost everybody, I can only do this if my aim is motivating. This season, at the Singapore GP, I recall looking at myself in the mirror and saying: "I can't take another year of sitting on the pit wall and watching how the other drivers pass by". This detail stayed with me and it defines me very well.

Q:
How important is it for Spanish motorsport♋ to have a Spanish team at the pinnacle of motorsport?

Pedro de la Rosa:
A few 🃏years ago I said that the one thing pending for Spain was for it to have a Spanish team in F1. We have some of the best fans in the world, a two tim🐻e World Champion, strong international companies, and now an F1 team. We're also going through a crisis and that is why we must stand firmly together. I am proud that HRT can hand out employment to people here.

Q:
Will you return to Vodafone McLa♐ren Mercedes like you did in 2011 after your spell with Sauber?

Pedro de la Rosa:
My future is with HRT, I'm not 𒈔passing by. I'm one of those people wไho finish a project they have started.

Q:
A message for the Spanish fans

Pedro de la Rosa:
I can only say to the fans that I hope they're as happy as I am. I feel as happy as I did the day I found out✱ I was going to make my debut in F1. The aim is not to win but to grow.