As McLaren continues its search for a partner for Lewis Hamilton in 2008 - Williams having seemingly slammed the door firmly shut on any hope the Woking team had of securing the services of Nico Rosberg - test driver Pedro de la Rosa has talked of his dream of being given the role.

"Everybody wants to be a McLaren driver, they are a winning team." the Spaniard told Marca's website. "My dream has always been to race and, naturally, it is that possibility that keeps me going as a test driver.

"I'll try, of course I will," he added.

de la Rosa, who has been test driver with McLaren since 2003, has made a number of race appearances for the Woking outfit, replacing Juan Pablo Montoya at Bahrain in 2005, when the Colombian suffered his famous 'tennis accident, and for the latter half of 2006 following his departure for NASCAR.

McLaren has said that it is in no rush to sign a replacement for Alonso, however, with testing resuming next week, and rival teams eager to secure their line-ups, the clock is ticking.

de la Rosa made it clear that he would have no hesitation in stepping into the seat vacated by his fellow Spaniard, both of whom were involved in the spy saga that has dominated the sport this year.

"For me it has been a pleasure to work with him, but from now on each follows his own path," he said. "I have two more years on my contract with McLaren and want to win the title that we failed to win this year."