Archive · 5 Nov 2025
Pedro de la Rosa Returns to Aston Martin, Reflects on F1 Evolution
Pedro de la Rosa, who is 54, is like a coach for the Aston Martin race car team now.
He used to be a Formula 1 driver and a very important test driver, helping make the cars better.
He says that being a race car driver is something you are always, even if you're not driving anymore.
His job now is to help the team with things like talking to people and doing media, but he also gets to drive amazing old race cars and new fast ones!
Pedro used to help a team in Formula E, which is a racing league with electric cars, and even raced one himself when someone got hurt.
He mentions that test driving isn't done on the track as much anymore; drivers mostly use computer simulators now.
He also talks about how many people in Spain love racing, partly because they enjoy being outside and have talented drivers like Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.
He believes young Spanish drivers need more help to become champions, just like he started his career with the team that is now Aston Martin and hopes to stay connected to racing.
Pedro de la Rosa, 54, has returned to Aston Martin as a team ambassador, marking a full circle in his Formula 1 career which began with a predecessor team.
His current role involves commercial, marketing, and media support for Aston Martin, alongside driving historic and hypercars.
De la Rosa notes a significant shift in driver roles, with modern 'test drivers' primarily working in simulators rather than on-track testing.
He previously served as technical and sporting director for the Formula E team DS Techeetah, contributing to two championship wins.
De la Rosa highlights Spain's burgeoning motorsport passion, fueled by lifestyle and emerging talent, while advocating for better support for young Spanish drivers.
- Who
- Pedro de la Rosa, 54-year-old former F1 driver and current Aston Martin Team Ambassador.
- What
- Reflecting on his enduring passion for motorsport, the evolution of test driving from on-track to simulator work, his experience in Formula E, and the growing motorsport passion in Spain.
- When
- Recently, in discussions about his career and the current state of motorsport.
- Where
- In his capacity as Aston Martin F1 Team Ambassador, and in discussions regarding Spanish motorsport.
- Why
- To share his insights on his career journey, the changes in F1 testing, and the rise of Spanish talent and interest in motorsport.
Traditional Test Driving
Modern Simulator Work
Role of Test Drivers
Traditional Test Driving
Test drivers focused on logging tens of thousands of kilometers in real cars, adapting to different driving styles to improve race-winning machines and fix handling quirks and reliability issues.
Modern Simulator Work
Simulator drivers are the modern equivalent, though de la Rosa notes that those without real-life driving experience are the worst at this role, suggesting a disconnect from reality.
Physicality and Skill in Racing
Traditional Test Driving
Formula E is perceived by some as easier than traditional racing, but de la Rosa found it incredibly physical, requiring constant management of energy and communication with engineers, making it stressful but fascinating.
Modern Simulator Work
The specific contrast to Formula E's perceived ease is not directly opposed but implied through de la Rosa's experience, highlighting the demanding nature of electric racing.
- Name
- Pedro de la Rosa
- Age
- 54
- Nationality
- Spanish
- Current Role
- Aston Martin F1 Team Ambassador
- F1 Racing Career
- 9 seasons, 104 starts
- Former Roles
- Test driver (Jordan, McLaren, Ferrari), Formula E Technical & Sporting Director (DS Techeetah), GPDA Chairman
- Career Start in F1
- 1998 as test driver with Jordan