PDLR To Replace JPM ASAP

Pedro De La Rosa – McLaren‘s experienced test driver – is to replace the outgoing Juan Pablo Montoya for this weekends French Grand Prix.

It was announced on Sunday that Montoya would be leaving McLaren and Formula One at the end of the year to join former boss Chip Ganassi in NASCAR for 2007. But in a statement made today by McLaren, it was said that they and Montoya had come to a mutual agreement that would allow Juan Pablo to spend some time with his family before making the tough transition to NASCAR.

Ron Dennis, McLaren CEO said:

Juan Pablo is an exciting driver and immensely likeable character who will undoubtedly make a successful transition to the NASCAR scene.

We have agreed that with so many things happening in Juan Pablo’s life right now, he should take some time out of the car and prepare professionally and personally for the future.

Pedro De La Rosa is obviously delighted to be driving competitively again, saying:

I know the MP4-21 better than anyone else and I’m confident that I can achieve important world championship points for the team.

PDLR is expected to complete the remainder of the season alongside Kimi Raikkonen while JPM watches from a TV set in his Miami home. What must Alonso be thinking..?