Jun.12 (GMM) Pedro de la Rosa knew before travelling to Canada that there was a chance he could be racing the Sauber this weekend.

The veteran Spaniard admitted earlier that he found out for sure just minutes before second practice, when regular Sergio Perez reported unwell.

But the news that Sauber tentatively arranged his loan from McLaren some days ago is a further blow to the team's official Mexican reserve Esteban Gutierrez, who is reportedly unhappy about missing out on the drive and is not even in Canada.

"It was before I went to Canada," de la Rosa told Mundo Deportivo newspaper when asked when the prospect of replacing Perez was first raised.

"Martin Whitmarsh told me that Sauber had contacted him to see if it would be possible to replace Sergio if necessary.

"But I didn't really think about it and forgot about it when I saw Perez doing the first session," he explained.

The report said Sauber did not want rookie Gutierrez, 19, learning the hopes in formula one on the treacherous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

De la Rosa, 40, told Sonntagsblick newspaper that even he struggled at the wheel of the unfamiliar C30, despite racing its predecessor a year ago.

"I constantly pressed the wrong buttons. There was just not enough time to learn the steering wheel," he said.

Spanish sports newspaper Marca reports that his unfamiliarity was a factor in his crash before qualifying, after pressing the 'DRS' button instead of deploying KERS.

And in a message to Perez, de la Rosa said: "I'm sorry you were unwell but I'm sure you'll come back stronger. My long career is ending and yours is just beginning."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version