The benefits of
McLaren's long-held practice of parity of opportunity for its drivers have been called into doubt by one of the team's key members.
Test-driver Pedro de la Rosa – who has been with the British outfit since 2003 in both test and race-driving roles – spoke out about team boss Ron Dennis' belief that its two race drivers should be treated equally, questioning whether such a policy is really in the squad's best interests. Last year both
Lewis Hamilton and
Fernando Alonso missed out on the world drivers' laurels by a single point, having been allowed to race each other season-long, whilst
Ferrari rival
Kimi Raikkonen was supported by his team-mate
Felipe Massa en route to the crown.
“My vision is very different,” the 36-year-old told Spanish newspaper
El Mundo, whilst adding that he ‘respects' Dennis' take on team orders. “In my view, a
Formula 1 team must have a leader and everyone should work for him, as happens in other sports such as cycling. That is the modern concept that should govern any team.”
“I experienced it first-hand, when I replaced [Juan-Pablo] Montoya (in 2006) and I got everything the same as Raikkonen.”
The Spaniard was disappointed not to have regained a race seat at Woking in 2008, after the team elected to sign
Heikki Kovalainen rather than place its faith in the man who had notched up 19 points for them from eight races over the second half of the 2006 campaign, just seven fewer than Raikkonen. Last season he was an ally of compatriot Alonso, who had complained about not receiving treatment that he judged to be befitting of a double world champion whilst at Woking, and he predicted the latter's return to
Renault would herald brighter days ahead for the
Régie this year.
“I got along with him really well,” de la Rosa affirmed. “They [Renault] will definitely improve because we all know Fernando and how much he brings.”
