MADRID -- Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa
could join Minardi after being replaced at the Arrows Formula One team by Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi.
"I am weighing up all the options that are open to me, but
my intention is to continue driving in Formula One," de la Rosa
was quoted as saying in Spanish newspapers on Thursday.
Minardi, the only team yet to name its lineup, has
expressed an interest in the 29-year-old.
"With the sudden availability of Pedro de la Rosa I do
envision the possibility for an all Spanish lineup," said
Minardi director Gian Carlo Minardi.
"It would be dishonest not to say that (Fernando) Alonso is
one of our main targets since he has already signed an agreement
with us in split ownership with his F3000 team."
Minardi has been bought by Australian Paul Stoddart, who
has had close ties with Arrows and has said he expects to name
an experienced driver alongside a "young charger." Young
Spaniard Alonso is expected to be one of them.
De la Rosa suggested that the sponsorship accompanying
Bernoldi had been the key to his leaving Arrows.
"It is a decision that I have to respect and that they are
fully within their rights to take, but I believe they have opted
for quantity over quality," Spanish newspapers quoted him as
saying.
Compatriot Marc Gene, the former Minardi driver who is now a
test driver for Williams, was critical of the timing of the
Arrows announcement.
"The decision itself doesn't really surprise me, because
Formula One is like that, but the way they have done it is
terrible," he said.
"There is just one month left before the start of the season
and he has very little room for maneuver left. He does not
deserve to be treated like this."
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