Jaime Alguersuari Focusing On Pirelli Test Drive Role In 2013

Former Formula 1 driver Jaime Alguersuari has explained how he will continue to strive for a full-time Formula 1 drive, despite his recent confirmation that he will not race for Force India in 2013. After a season away from a full-time drive testing for Pirelli and commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, Alguersuari was confident of returning in 2013.

However, as the rumors continue to circulate as to who will eventually team-mate Paul di Resta at Force India, Jaime Alguersuari has confirmed that he will not line-up on the grid in Melbourne next month with the Silverstone-based outfit. Instead, the Spanish driver will continue to focus on his Pirelli test driver role, as well as keeping up to scratch with driving a Formula 1 car.

With many other drivers including Jules Bianchi, Adrian Sutil and Narain Karthikeyan also eying up the sole remaining vacancy at Force India, it was also rumored that Alguersuari would instead move to DTM for the forthcoming season should a return to Formula 1 fail to materialize. However, this particular endeavor by Alguersuari has been thwarted by former F1 driver Timo Glock at BMW. This therefore means Alguersuari will once again spend a motor sport season only testing for Pirelli, although the 22-year-old is confident he can one day complete a return to Formula 1.

“When a driver in his best racing form leaves F1, he needs to keep his currency up,” explained Jaime Alguersuari to AutoSport. “That’s why I’m very happy to have this Pirelli deal, because I can still be active, can still run in the car and can understand the tyres. I’m still ready to jump in and race this year and do the job I should do. Possibly I did close other opportunities in other series but now I’m concentrating on this [the Pirelli test drive]. Maybe in the future I will look at other things.”

With Jaime Alguersuari seemingly out of the equation at Force India for 2013, it is widely predicated that the second and final drive on the grid with Silverstone-based outfit will be a “shoot-out” between reserve driver Jules Bianchi and former driver Adrian Sutil. Jaime Alguersuari however will continue his work with Pirelli, in the hope that one of the teams decides to replace one of their drivers throughout 2013.

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Adrian Sutil Confirmed At Force India For Barcelona Test

It has been confirmed that German driver Adrian Sutil will complete one day of testing with Force India at this weeks second pre-season test around Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. This comes amid continued speculation as to who will eventually team-mate Paul di Resta at the Silverstone-based outfit.

With the new season quickly approaching, Force India remain the only team on the grid who have yet to officially confirm their full driver line-up. Currently only Scotsman Paul di Resta has been confirmed for the new season, with several drivers including Adrian Sutil, Jules Bianchi and even Narain Karthikeyan still within a chance of securing the final seat on the 2013 grid.

Once again Force India will test three different drivers during the four days of testing at Barcelona this week, with Paul di Resta scheduled to open the week with driving duties on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Briton will then hand the VJM06 over to former team-mate Adrian Sutil for Thursday before Frenchman Jules Bianchi once again brings proceedings to an end on Friday. With the absence of Narain Karthikeyan from Force India’s driving line-up, many perceive this week’s test as a “shoot-out” between Sutil and Bianchi as to who will eventually team-mate di Resta.

Adrian Sutil’s entire Formula 1 career was spent with the Silverstone-based outfit, which began when the team were then known as Spyker back in 2007. Once the team was rebranded as Force India, Sutil remained with the outfit until 2011 when he was replaced by Nico Hulkenberg following his altercation with Eric Lux, the Chief Executive of Genii Capital, at a nightclub in Shanghai. Should Sutil get the drive and complete his return to the sport, it’s undeniable that it will be his final chance to impress with a team eager to begin battling at the front.

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Narain Karthikeyan Linked To Force India Drive

Former Jordan and HRT driver Narain Karthikeyan has become the latest driver to be linked to the remaining race seat at Force India, amid continued speculation as to who will eventually team-mate Paul di Resta. The last seat for the Silverstone-based outfit remains the only vacancy on the 2013 grid.

With only several weeks remaining until the season opening Australian Grand Prix, Force India remain the only team on the grid without a fully confirmed driver line-up, after Marussia and Caterham signed Luiz Razia and Giedo van der Garde respectively to complete their driver line-ups for the forthcoming season. Many drivers have been linked to the vacancy at Force India, including the likes of Jaime Alguersuari, Adrian Sutil, Jules Bianchi and now Narain Karthikeyan.

Narain Karthikeyan’s sudden link to the Indian outfit comes after it emerged that the 36-year-old would be able to bring wealthy sponsorship money to the team with Tata, which would essentially see Karthikeyan pay for his drive within the team. The topic of pay drivers has been rife throughout the paddock of late, however it has become a well known fact that some teams up and down the grid require such income to continue their existence in sport.

“As soon as Narain’s long-term sponsors Tata increased the budget for 2013, talks with Force India began.” Explained a source in the Deccan Chronicle. “Unlike the past, the negotiation has been a lot more positive. As reserve drivers don’t have much of a role in F1 these days, Narain is only interested in the second driver seat. If talks fail, he will probably go to America for [the] IndyCar Series where a couple of teams have already shown interest.”

Should Narain Karthikeyan complete the switch from the ashes of HRT to Force India, he would become the first Indian driver to secure a full-time race seat with an Indian outfit. Although this would be an ideal PR opportunity for the Indian Grand Prix later in the year, Karthikeyan’s previous record is unarguably against him with the likes of Adrian Sutil and Jules Bianchi in the mix.

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Narain Karthikeyan Pondering IndyCar Switch

Former HRT Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan has confirmed he is pondering a switch to America’s IZOD IndyCar Series, should the Indian driver fail to secure a drive in Formula 1. With HRT withdrawing from F1 after last season, Karthikeyan has been left without a drive in the sport.

Like many drivers before him, Narain Karthikeyan is considering focusing on a switch to America, which would see the 36-year-old Indian driver return to oval racing. During the 2010 season, Narain Karthikeyan competed in the NASCAR Camping World Series, which enabled the Indian driver to gain valuable experience on some of America’s top ovals including Texas, Las Vegas and Talladega. Karthikeyan strongly believes his experience on ovals would assist him should he complete the switch to the IZOD IndyCar Series, despite the differences between NASCAR and IndyCar.

“There are obviously some very big differences between NASCAR and IndyCar, but the oval racing experience I have can only help.” Explained Narain Karthikeyan to Autosport, “There will be a lot to learn, but at least I have a small advantage over a total rookie. If you look at what Rubens [Barrichello] achieved in IndyCars last year, you can see that it is possible to get some good results even if you are not driving for a top team straight away. So hopefully with the experience I have, I should be able to do a good job and prove myself.”

After 19 years competing in Formula 1 with some of the tops teams, Brazilian ace Rubens Barrichello switched to the IZOD IndyCar Series last season to partner good friend Tony Kanaan at KV Racing Technology. The 40-year-old finished a personal best of 4th at the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, however decided to switch once again to the Brazilian Stock Car Series for 2013. Many other drivers such as Takuma Sato, Giorgio Pantano, Justin Wilson and Toranosuke Takagi have switched to IndyCar racing in America, with Narain Karthikeyan looking likely to become the latest driver to do so.

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Pedro de la Rosa Incurs Five-Place Grid Penalty

Pedro de la Rosa has incurred the 100th penalty of the season, after the Spaniard’s mechanics were forced to change his gearbox ahead of this afternoon’s final race of the season around Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit. Despite this penalty officially issuing de la Rosa with a five-place grid penalty, he has already qualified 24th and last for the race.

With HRT currently up for sale and searching for potential buyers, the general consensus within the paddock is that the team are preparing for what will be their last race in Formula 1. Rumors circulating the paddock indicate that HRT have already issued redundancy to several members of the team, as they will close down after the Brazilian Grand Prix. Whether these rumors are true or not remains to be seen, however it’s unquestionable that the team have a rather sombre approach to today’s season finale around Sao Paulo.

Pedro de la Rosa will start 24th and last on the grid, with team-mate Narain Karthikeyan set to start alongside the Spaniard in 23rd position. The HRT duo only just scraped through qualifying, with Karthikeyan and de la Rosa setting times 105.995 and 106.159 percent within the 107% qualifying rule.

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Pedro de la Rosa Proud Of HRT’s 2012 Achievements

Pedro de la Rosa has explained how he is very proud of HRT’s achievements so far this season, after the Spaniard outfit suffered a tough start to the season. The team initially failed to partake in pre-season testing, and then failed to qualify for the opening race of the season at the Australian Grand Prix.

However, since the team’s rocky start to the season, they have undeniably steadily improved at each race weekend, at one stage even battling with Marussia on a weekly basis. However, finance has always been the achilles-heel of the outfit, and they have recently been put up for sale by current owners Thesan Capital. Despite these change of events, the team have remain focused on their efforts out on track.

Last time out at the United States Grand Prix around the Circuit of the Americas, the team initially struggled to qualify for the race. However, after successfully qualifying within the 107% rule, the team managed to bring both Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan to the finish of the race. This was unquestionably an enormous achievement for the team, after rumors throughout the media suggested the team could be running low on spare parts.

“It is incredible how time flies and for us to get to Brazil for the last race of the season, after everything we’ve achieved, makes me very proud.” Explained Pedro de la Rosa, “The race in Brazil is always a very special Grand Prix, not only because of the track’s layout but also for the Formula 1 history and the fans. It is a short but challenging track where it is possible to overtake. But the weather and the possible showers can also play an important role in the race’s outcome. If that would be the case, we will be ready to take our chances. It is the last race of the season and we will do our best to achieve a good result.”

Rumors circulating throughout the paddock indicate the team is poised to be purchased by Chinese buyers, a move which would undoubtedly benefit the team’s development driver Ma Qing Hua. Pedro de la Rosa has been confirmed with the outfit for next season, however the second seat alongside the Spaniard remains vacant as the 2012 season draws to a conclusion.

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Karthikeyan Remains Adamant He Did Nothing Wrong To Vettel

Narain Karthikeyan has remained adamant he did nothing wrong when he was lapped by Sebastian Vettel during the United States Grand Prix, only moments before the German driver lost the lead to Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the race. At the time, Vettel vented his frustration towards the Indian driver over the team radio.

With Lewis Hamilton swarming over the back of Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull, the duo closed up upon the slow moving HRT of Narain Karthikeyan. Unfortunately for Sebastian Vettel, the opening sector of the Circuit of the Americas is exceedingly difficult to overtake on. This therefore saw Vettel loose an enormous amount of time behind Karthikeyan, and allowed Hamilton to close the gap and eventually overtake the Championship leader with DRS-assistance down the back-straight.

However, Narain Karthikeyan has remained adamant that he did nothing wrong during the race, and that he did not impede Sebastian Vettel purposefully. Prior to the race, Karthikeyan spoke with race director Charlie Whiting on the matter of traffic, and Whiting confirmed to the Indian driver that lapped traffic would not be required to move over during Turns 3 to 7.

“I spoke to Charlie before the race because I knew a situation like this could come up,” explained Narain Karthikeyan to Autosport. “It’s impossible to get out of the way in that part of the track unless we drive off the circuit. Charlie said that it was absolutely fine not to move over from Turns 3 to 7 so I did not do anything wrong. Once I was through there, I let him past and he overtook me at the exit of Turn 7 into 8. You cannot go anywhere else and it’s impossible to get out of the way before. You tell me where we can drive off the track? If he complains, it’s too bad.”

After a difficult race weekend at Austin, both HRT drivers were able to make it to the end of the race, albeit in 21st and 22nd position. Rumors circulating the paddock indicate that a Chinese buyer could be interested in purchasing the team, after current owners Thesan Capital put the team up for sale last week. This would greatly assist the team’s development driver Ma Qing Hua, who could well receive a full-time drive should the team become Chinese-owned.

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Narain Karthikeyan Suffered A Fuel Pick Up Issue During Qualifying

Narain Karthikeyan was struck with a fuel pick up issue during the closing stages of Q1, which prevented the Indian driver from improving upon his time. The HRT duo have endured a disastrous weekend at Austin, and have qualified in 23rd and 24th position for tomorrow’s United States Grand Prix.

At the beginning of the weekend, rumors began circulating the paddock that HRT were running low on spare parts, after the team were put on sale by their current owners Thesan Capital. Throughout the weekend, it has been touch and go as to whether the Spanish outfit would qualify for the race, with both Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan only just managing to qualify 105.647 and 106.402 percent within the 107 percent rule.

As the opening segment of qualifying came to a conclusion, Narain Karthikeyan was seen coasting to a halt at Turn 2. It was later confirmed that the Indian driver was struck with a fuel issue on his F112, which prevented Karthikeyan from completing another lap. The 35-year-old is adamant that he could’ve improved upon his time had he been able to complete another lap.

“Driving was quite challenging in the morning because it was difficult to bring the tyres up to temperature.” Explained Narain Karthikeyan, “But things improved a lot in the afternoon with a much warmer track. The tyres and the car performed much better and we managed to put in a few good laps. I think we could still have improved on the last laps but the car suddenly stopped. We had a problem with the fuel pick up that we are now looking into it but we don’t expect it to be a problem for tomorrow’s race.”

HRT are hoping for a much more successful race tomorrow, despite starting from the back row of the grid. The Spanish outfit will simply be hoping to see both cars finish the race, as they aim to end the season on a positive note as negotiations rumble on with regards to a new potential buyer for the team.

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HRT Confirm Ma Qing Hua For United States Grand Prix Practice One

HRT have confirmed that development driver Ma Qing Hua will get his fifth outing for the team during the opening practice session ahead of the United States Grand Prix, once again replacing Narain Karthikeyan. This comes amid strong speculation linking the Chinese driver to a full-time drive with the team for 2013, should they find a buyer.

Ma Qing Hua became the first Chinese-born driver to compete in an official Formula 1 event during practice one for the Italian Grand Prix back in September, partnering Pedro de la Rosa within the team. Earlier in the season, the team’s reserve driver Dani Clos also replaced Narain Karthikeyan during opening practice sessions at numerous race weekends. Other teams have also used this ability to run other drivers during practice one, including Williams, Force India and Caterham.

“It’s fantastic to be able to step back into the car for a free practice session and to do so at a new circuit for every team and driver makes it even more special and fun.” Enthused Ma Qing Hua, “Being the first out on track to help the team is a great responsibility and I want to thank them again for the opportunity they’re giving me. Little by little I’m racking up more miles and gaining the necessary experience to grow as a driver, and the continuity I’m getting is also important to help my confidence.”

As has been the case for the majority of the season, Narain Karthikeyan will return to his driving duties within the team for the second practice session later in the day. This could well put the Indian driver at a slight disadvantage for the remainder of the race weekend, as he’ll still be learning the new circuit during practice two whereas the majority of his competitors will already have 90 minutes of track knowledge under their belts.

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HRT Up For Sale After Tough 2012 Season

It has been officially confirmed that Spanish Formula 1 team HRT have been put up for sale by Spanish investment company Thesan Capital, only just over a year after the company bought the team from previous owner Jose Ramon Carabante. This comes only several days before the penultimate race of the season at Austin in Texas.

The 2012 season has been a bittersweet affair for HRT, after the team initially failed to qualify for the opening race of the season in Australia. Since then, the team have gradually improved and have also moved in to their new headquarters at Madrid. However, this has failed to see the team raise themselves off of the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship, remaining considerably behind their nearest competitors of Marussia and Caterham.

Whilst the team strive to end the season on a positive note on the track at the United States and Brazilian Grands Prix, the team are also endeavoring to announce their new owners in the near future. Speculation over who this might be is ripe within the Formula 1 community, with rumors of a Middle Eastern-based buyer a strong possibility.

“The current owners of HRT Formula 1 Team, TC II S.a.rl., would like to confirm that they are currently in talks with a number of groups interested in buying the team,” read an official statement from the team. “HRT Formula 1 Team’s current management hopes to conclude the sale in the upcoming weeks and, with it, enable the team to continue progressing and become a reference in modern-day Formula 1 after the important achievements already accomplished in this 2012 season.

“HRT Formula 1 Team hopes to communicate the name of its new owner in the upcoming weeks. We believe the moment to let new investors come through for HRT Formula 1 Team has arrived. We’re very proud of the work done by the entire team and of the excellent sporting evolution achieved but the time has come for the team to continue growing with new financial backing. We’re convinced that the sporting potential of the team is huge and that the presence of new investors can give it a big boost.”

Currently the team have only confirmed one driver for next season, with Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa set to continue with the team for what be a second successive season. However, de la Rosa’s team-mate for 2013 has yet to be confirmed with drivers including Narain Karthikeyan, Dani Clos and even Ma Qing Hua rumored as likely candidates.

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