Formula One news

Montoya leaves McLaren, de la Rosa to race

Juan Pablo Montoya will leave the McLaren team with immediate effect after coming to a mutual agreement. The move will let Montoya join NASCAR sooner and give him more time to get up to speed with the series. McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa will replace Montoya in France.

"Juan Pablo is an exciting driver and immensely likeable character who will undoubtedly make a successful transition to the NASCAR scene," said McLaren team boss Ron Dennis in a statement issued on Tuesday morning. "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."

De la Rosa will make his second race appearance for the team following a points scoring debut in the 2005 Bahrain Grand Prix when he deputised for the injured Montoya.

"I'm of course extremely thrilled to have this opportunity to race the MP4-21 - a car in which I'm really comfortable," said de la Rosa. "I know the MP4-21 better than anyone else and I'm confident that I can achieve important World Championship points for the team."

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