HRT’s Full Length Caja Mágica Documentary

This feature length documentary from the HRT F1 team shows how the Spanish outfit are progressing in their new Madrid base.

Video Copyright © HRT F1 Team

HRT Looking To Continue Improving In Valencia

After showing a promising display of improvements at the Canadian Grand Prix, HRT are looking to continue moving forwards at next weekend’s European Grand Prix. The race around the Valencia Street Circuit will be the teams second and final home race of the season, and with the track characteristics similar to Montreal and Monte-Carlo, the team expect the car to do well.

Although HRT showed visible improvements throughout the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, their race was plagued with brake issues which subsequently forced both Narain Karthikeyan and Pedro de la Rosa to retire from the race. Regardless of this minor setback, both drivers and team principal Luis Perez-Sala are confident these issues can be rectified in time for the next Grand Prix.

“At the Valencia Street Circuit we will encounter high air and track temperatures so the brakes will be put through their paces once again, but we’re confident we can make the necessary modifications to overcome the problems we experienced in Canada.” Ensured Pedro de la Rosa. “I think we can do quite well here, although it’s not as favorable to our car as Canada, because there are a lot of braking areas and slow corners which are good for us. We’re looking forward to putting in a good performance in front of our fans and we want to continue with our progress from the last few races, where we’ve been at a good standard, but here we want to confirm this improvement in the race.”

After suffering a disastrously slow start to the 2012 season, HRT have continued to progress at each individual race. With the European Grand Prix their second home race of the season, the Madrid-based outfit is hopeful that the Spanish fans will provide them with that extra push.

“In Canada we were quick and performed well but were unable to finish the race.” Explained Luis Perez-Sala, “In Valencia we want to confirm this progress and achieve a good result, plus doing so in front of the Spanish public is even more special. I think that the characteristics of this circuit adapt well to our car and I hope we have good reliability and finish the race with a positive result.”

This will be the last European Grand Prix held at the Valencia Street Circuit, as the track is set to alternate the hosting of the Spanish Grand Prix with Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya from next season onwards.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team

HRT Running New Rear Wing For Canadian Grand Prix

After a relatively successful Monaco Grand Prix, HRT are hoping to continue their constantly improving form next time out in Canada when the Spanish outfit run a new low-downforce rear wing. Due to the nature of Montreal’s Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, HRT are confident they can achieve another decent result after Karthikeyan finished 15th in Monaco.

The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve has been a happy hunting ground for HRT, after Vitantonio Liuzzi achieved the teams greatest finish with 13th in last years rain-struck race. After suffering a dismal start to the 2012 season, the Spanish outfit have undeniably improved over the course of the first six races and are confident this run of form can continue into the Canadian Grand Prix.

“In Monaco things went well for us and this circuit should also be favorable for us because our car behaves well when braking and we’ve improved our traction, which are two important aspects in Canada.” Explained HRT team principal, Luis Perez-Sala, “Our weakest point is quick corners and there aren’t many here. Our biggest handicap could be not having KERS, but we’ve brought a special rear wing for this circuit which we hope will make us more competitive. We’re in good spirits after the positive result in Monaco; Narain wants to continue with his good form and Pedro is more motivated than ever after his good performance all weekend ended in a retirement.”

Last years Canadian Grand Prix was hit with torrential rain, which in turn made it the longest race in the history of the sport running at 4 hours 4 minutes and 39 seconds. With weather usually throwing up a surprise or two when F1 is in town, the Canadian Grand Prix could well offer teams further down the order the opportunity to be more competitive as the weekend unfolds.

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Narain Karthikeyan: “Street Circuits Aren’t My Favorite”

After a highly disappointing Spanish Grand Prix, Narain Karthikeyan is hoping for better luck as the F1 fraternity prepares for the 70th running of the glamorous Monaco Grand Prix. The Indian driver failed to qualify within the 107% rule in Spain, however he was eventually allowed to race. Karthikeyan retired on lap 22, bringing an end to a dismal race weekend.

However, with the Spanish Grand Prix in the past, Narain Karthikeyan is hoping for a change of luck this weekend, even though the HRT driver dislikes street circuits. With his team-mate Pedro de la Rosa expecting to be closer to the leaders this weekend, there is optimism within the HRT paddock that a promising result could be on the cards.

“Street circuits aren’t my favorite but Monaco obviously has a special place on the calendar.” Explained Narain Karthikeyan, “It’s one of the toughest races because you’re so close to the guardrails that you know you can’t make one single mistake. Coming away from a disappointing weekend in Barcelona, I am hoping for better luck this time and to get a proper chance to work with the updates we brought in Spain and have a trouble-free weekend.”

Following on from the updates that were introduced on the car throughout the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, HRT’s team principal Luis Perez-Sala has confirmed that several more ‘minor’ updates will be added to the car this weekend. 

“Monaco is a very demanding track mechanically, where drivers need great ability and suffer physically and psychologically because you can’t make any slip-ups. It’s a tough test for the car’s reliability and even more so if it is hot. We have minor upgrades for this race which we hope will help us to close the gap to the front pack. The team is really looking forward to taking on a beautiful race as is Monaco.”

In a race which could feature many safety-car periods, the HRT’s of Narain Karthikeyan and Pedro de la Rosa could well close the gap right up to the Marussia’s of Glock and Pic. However, the first hurdle for the Spanish team will be qualifying, with the tight and twisty nature of the Monte-Carlo street circuit meaning blue flags will be a common recurrence throughout Q1.

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HRT Considering Future Name Change

Spanish Formula 1 team HRT have announced they are considering a future name change, as the team continues to evolve after successfully moving into their new headquarters in Madrid. This would be the teams third name change, after making their debut back in 2010.

Initially, once the team announced plans to enter Formula 1 in late 2009, they were known as Campos Meta. This name was a combination of the teams initial founding members Adrían Campos of Campos Racing and Enrique Rodríguez of Meta Image, a Madrid-based sports agency.

However, as financial troubles gripped the team prior to their debut, majority shareholder José Ramón Carabante took full control of the team and rebranded them as the Hispania Racing Team (HRT). In 2011, Luis Perez-Sala joined the team and eventually replaced Colin Kolles as team principal at HRT. Around that time, the Spanish outfit dropped the Hispania Racing Team title, and are now known only as the HRT F1 Team. Although this could change once again in the future, as the team continue their reconstruction.

“We are thinking about that [name change],” said Luis Perez-Sala in an interview with AutoSport. “But no decision has been taken about changing the name. Now, we are HRT. In the future we will see. There is no plan at the moment but it is true that we are thinking about it.”

HRT are set to make Spanish F1 history this weekend, as they run an all-Spanish line-up on Friday morning’s practice session in a Spanish car at the Spanish Grand Prix. This will see reserve driver Dani Clos team-up with fellow countryman and F1 veteran Pedro de la Rosa.

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Dani Clos To Drive For HRT On Friday

Dani Clos will make Formula 1 history on Friday as completes the first all-Spanish driving line-up for a Spanish team at the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday morning. The GP2 driver will replace Narain Karthikeyan at HRT for FP1, getting his first taste of the F112 during a Grand Prix weekend.

The Spaniard has had a relatively successful career in GP2, winning one race in 2010 and also partaking in the Young Drivers’ Test at Abu Dhabi last November, clocking up 377.67 kilometers for the team. However, this weekend will see the Spaniard make his first appearance at a Grand Prix weekend for the team, as HRT continue to improve after a dodgy start to the season.

“I’m delighted to have this opportunity.” Explained a delighted Dani Clos, “It’s something I’ve fought for all my life; to make my debut in Formula 1 and, above all, to be able to do it at the Circuit de Catalunya which is something very special for me. Besides, I’m extremely lucky to be able to do it with a Spanish team, alongside another Spanish driver who I admire and at home. I can’t ask for more! I hope to extract a lot of data from this practice session, contribute with positive things to the team and do my job in the best way I can. I feel 100% ready and I can’t wait for the moment I step into the car and hit the track.”

“I’m very proud and happy that this moment has arrived and that we’ve given Dani the chance to get in the car on Friday’s first free practice session at such a special and important Grand Prix as is a home Grand Prix.” Said HRT’s team principal, Luis Perez-Sala. “It’s an important session given the short amount of time on track that we have and more so when you take into account the various aerodynamic upgrades which we have brought. Dani is a great driver and I have no doubt that he will do a good job.”

HRT will run upgrades on their cars this weekend, although they skipped the Mugello test which saw many teams test new updates. The Spanish outfit will be hoping these updates improve their pace, as they continue to reel in their nearest competitors Marussia.

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HRT Calm Heading Into Their Home Grand Prix

After skipping the Mugello test that took place earlier this week, HRT are heading to their home Grand Prix at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya calm after successfully moving into their new headquarters in Madrid.

The Spanish outfit suffered difficult start to the 2012 season, after initially failing to make an appearance at pre-season testing before then failing to qualify for the opening race of the season in Australia. However, since then HRT have taken step forwards at every Grand Prix, with Narain Karthikeyan even running as high as 10th at the Malaysian Grand Prix albeit in torrential conditions.

“The Spanish Grand Prix is the most important race for a Spanish driver, but this time it will be even more special for me because I’m racing with a Spanish team in my city of birth.” Explained Pedro de la Rosa, who is preparing for his 6th Spanish Grand Prix of his career. “Not going to Mugello wasn’t an easy decision but it was important to go to the headquarters for the first time and work calmly because it’s the first time my car is in Europe. We’re playing at home in front of the best fans in the world. We’re looking forward to it and it’s something historic so I’m going to enjoy it as much as possible.”

As the other 11 teams headed to Mugello for the first in-season test since 2008, HRT calmly moved into their brand-new headquarters in Madrid. With the team now happily ensconced at their new base, and after a visit from FIA President Jean Todt, the Spanish outfit are now calmly looking ahead to the Spanish race.

“We’re really looking forward to taking part in this Grand Prix, which is the first time we’ll be racing at home this season.” Said HRT’s Team Principal, Luis Perez-Sala, “After the first four races we’re heading into this one with much more calm. We arrive more organized and better prepared after having rested a bit this week. It’s the first Grand Prix we travel to after having moved into our new headquarters, starting a great new chapter in the history of the team.”

With McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton even unable to predict the outcome of this weekends Spanish Grand Prix, it looks as though another exciting race is on the cards. HRT will be eager to get in the mix, and start reeling in the Marussia’s of Charles Pic and Timo Glock.

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HRT Will Not Attend Mugello Test

HRT will not attend the Mugello test next week, opting to focus on the relocation of their new headquarters to the Caja Magica in Madrid. The Spanish outfit failed to partake in any of the pre-season tests at Jerez and Barcelona, and suffered a slow start to the 2012 season.

With in-season testing making a return in 2012, the Formula 1 teams’ are now preparing to head to the Mugello circuit in Italy with the hope of taking a step forward after a slightly topsy-turvy opening four races. However, HRT have announced they will not be traveling to the Mugello test, and will instead focus elsewhere in preparation for the Spanish Grand Prix.

“The start to the season was a little bit rushed for us and, since the cars were set up for the first time, we have been working on them at the Grands Prix.” Explained HRT’s team principal, Luis Perez-Sala, “The team and the material have just got back from Bahrain after leaving for Australia in early March. And they return, for the first time, to the team’s new headquarters at the Caja Mágica in Madrid. This move is very important for us and by not going to Mugello we can work thoroughly on the car to prepare for the Spanish Grand Prix. We won’t have the new upgrade package until then so we’ve preferred to focus on what can contribute more to us, which is teamwork at the headquarters.”

After initially failing to qualify for the season opening Australian Grand Prix, HRT have improved race-by-race and have successfully qualified for and finished the Malaysian, Chinese and Bahrain Grands Prix thereafter.

The Spanish outfit will be hoping all goes well for their home race in Spain, and that they can finally begin to reel in their nearest competitors Marussia in the races to come. The Mugello test takes place between 1st – 3rd May, before the F1 fraternity reconvenes at the Spanish Grand Prix between 11th – 13th May on Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team 

Karthikeyan Positive After “Best Grand Prix So Far This Season”

Narain Karthikeyan has ended the Bahrain Grand Prix on a satisfied note, after the Indian driver and HRT finished their third race in succession after their slow start to the season. In the previous two races, Karthikeyan has consistently finished 22nd for HRT, and today finished a position higher in 21st as the team continue progressing.

With HRT dubious of cooling issues heading to the incredibly hot Sakhir International Circuit, they have passed yet another test of their durability with Pedro de la Rosa coming home in 20th just ahead of his team-mate. Both HRT’s completed a 4-stop strategy, with team principal Luis Perez-Sala satisfied with good reliability from the team.

“We passed another stern test here in Bahrain with the high temperatures and I’m very satisfied with how everything went.” Explained Luis Perez-Sala, “Reliability was also good and the team is working well. We can say that we are already at the standard with which we finished last year. From here we must progress.”

Narain Karthikeyan made his 30th start in Bahrain this afternoon, and has hailed the event as his best performance so far this season.

“After my first pitstop, I improved a lot and from there my lap times were consistent.” Said Narain Karthikeyan, “We did a four-stop strategy, which I think went very well, and in the end we were only half a second behind Pedro at the checkered flag. My race performance was extremely good, I’d say it was my best Grand Prix so far this season, so I’m very happy about that”.

The Spanish outfit now head to Mugello for three days of testing from 1st-3rd May, before they return home for the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya which gets underway on 11th May.

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HRT Wary Of Cooling Issues Ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix

With barely enough time to catch your breath after the Chinese Grand Prix, the teams’ are now frantically preparing for this weekends Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sakhir International Circuit. HRT have had a successful last two Grands Prix in Malaysian and China, successfully finishing both races albeit a lap or two off the pace.

However, heading into Bahrain the Spanish outfit are now wary of the cooling issues that are still plaguing the team. In Malaysia, the rain prevented the gremlins from recurring, and the temperature in China wasn’t high enough to worry the team. However, in Bahrain the heat and lack of rain could well prove tricky for HRT.

“This Grand Prix will take place in very different conditions,” Explained Team Principal, Luis Perez-Sala, “Although we could say that we’ve made up for the lack of pre-season and are now at the starting point, our biggest weakness is still cooling. Here that is a key factor but I’m confident we can continue along the same line as in the last races and will be able to progress a little bit more this weekend.”

Pedro de la Rosa is highly confident heading to the weekends race, after having made his McLaren debut at the track back in 2005. The Spaniard went on to finish 5th in that race, setting the fastest lap along the way. However, de la Rosa also believes it is important that the team continue their improvements into the Bahrain Grand Prix.

“The Bahrain International Circuit is a difficult track because it has strong braking corners and it’s very easy to overrun coming into them.” Said Pedro de la Rosa, “It’s a circuit I like because I made my debut for McLaren there, so I’ve got good memories of it, I also achieved my first fastest lap in a race there too. In Bahrain the objective is to continue the improvement which we clearly saw in China, where we took a big step. Now we must maintain our reliability but in a hotter climate, we have to try and take the same step that we took in China.”

HRT will be looking to once again finish the 57-lap race, and continue reeling in the likes of Marussia and Caterham further up the order. However with the hot temperatures in Bahrain, the cooling issues could well continue to plague the team throughout the weekend.

Picture Copyright © HRT F1 Team