OCTOBER 14, 2000

De la Rosa delighted with AMT debut performance

SPANIARD Pedro de la Rosa was left surprised and delighted that Arrows' first test with the Asia Motor Technologies (AMT) engines that will power their 2001 world championship challenge was completed without any problems.

The 29-year-old was at the wheel of the A21 chassis for two-days of a three-day test at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia and he was happy with the debut performance of the AMT V10 power unit.

"It has been a very good test," De la Rosa said. "Any problems we had anticipated have not materialized. I am very surprised."

De la Rosa's team-mate Dutchman Jos Verstappen took over duties for the final day on Friday after the initial test had been switched from the Circuit de Catalunya to Valencia.

Meanwhile, a racing suit worn by De la Rosa raised £1,500 (pounds) for the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) at a fund-raising dinner held in London.