Jan.18 (GMM) Pedro de la Rosa says the departure of his countryman from the McLaren driver lineup in 2008 is a loss to the British team.



The Spanish test driver has made it clear that the spat involving Fernando Alonso, the former double world champion, and team colleagues Lewis Hamilton and Ron Dennis last year, did not also involve himself.



"I personally miss him," de la Rosa, who is 36, explained to the Spanish newspaper Diario AS.



"Fernando is always a great contributor to a team; it is better to have him with you than to have him somewhere else.



"But we will get used to working without him," the Spaniard added.



De la Rosa tested McLaren's new MP4-23 single seater earlier this week at Jerez.



"For now it resembles the car of last year," he revealed. "It's easy to drive but there is still much room for improvement.



"At the moment we are working on the reliability rather than seeking lap times. And so far there have not been any problems," he said.



De la Rosa also admitted that, with his chances of ever returning to the grand prix grid receding every year, he is beginning to contemplate a return to racing elsewhere.



Asked if Le Mans might be an option after losing the 2008 seat to Heikki Kovalainen, he admitted: "After what happened, my chances of racing for McLaren are small.



"Looking ahead, yes, I am thinking about some other series. I am eager to return to racing."