McLaren have rubbished rumours that former test driver Pedro de la Rosa met with Executive Chairman, Ron Dennis in Spain recently with a view to returning to the team. The Spaniard was rumoured to have met with Dennis in Madrid last week, supposedly to discuss a return as test driver, but a team spokesperson confirmed to Manipe F1 on Friday that that was not the case.

“Ron Dennis was indeed in Madrid a few days ago, but media reports suggesting that he met Pedro de la Rosa are incorrect,” the spokesperson told Manipe F1.

The unfounded rumours appeared in the Spanish press during the week, despite McLaren already having the capable Gary Paffett as test and reserve driver. The Briton played a pivotal role in the mid-season development of 2010's MP4-26, while also racing in the DTM championship.

De la Rosa is currently the official test driver for Pirelli, having lost his race seat at Sauber in September 2010. He was McLaren's test driver between 2003 and 2009, before moving to Sauber for the 2010 season.