The HRT thread

[solarcold]

Seems like Russia is more and more near to some F1-sorrow days.

[Aerond]

Karthikeyan is rumoured to bring 8 million euros to HRT ... It appeared in As today.

[cbbcisace]

I can already see the Autosport preview!

HRT are not going to set the world on fire, but its two drivers in Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan bring a lot of backing, have years of experience, and may surprise some with some good results.

We should have known about 'The Fastest Indian' signing, HRT didnt move the TATA and Base logos from their website.

Their designing a new website, it still has Liuzzi and Ricciardo on there.....

[mario]

I can already see the Autosport preview!

HRT are not going to set the world on fire, but its two drivers in Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan bring a lot of backing, have years of experience, and may surprise some with some good results.

We should have known about 'The Fastest Indian' signing, HRT didnt move the TATA and Base logos from their website.

Their designing a new website, it still has Liuzzi and Ricciardo on there.....

Overall, whilst it has to be said that neither driver are the best that they could have hired from the current market, De La Rosa is a pretty safe and solid driver (it's worth remembering that Sauber turned to him back in 2010, and in retrospect he didn't do too badly against Kobayashi whilst he was there). As for Karthikeyan, yes, he has probably passed his peak some time ago, but if he can put in the sort of form he showed back in India (where he was pushing Ricciardo a lot harder than expected in qualifying and was ahead of Ricciardo on merit for about a third of the race), then perhaps he won't be quite so bad overall.
Mind you, what happened to the talk from HRT about hiring a Spanish speaking driver from South America to tap into those rising markets out there? Karthikeyan may have a few decent links with Indian businesses - although the rumours of his sponsorship package this time around are less impressive - but at the same time surely there must have been a few drivers in South America who could have attracted sponsorship and have a reasonably solid racing background?

[Stramala]

I can already see the Autosport preview!

HRT are not going to set the world on fire, but its two drivers in Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan bring a lot of backing, have years of experience, and may surprise some with some good results.

We should have known about 'The Fastest Indian' signing, HRT didnt move the TATA and Base logos from their website.

Their designing a new website, it still has Liuzzi and Ricciardo on there.....

Overall, whilst it has to be said that neither driver are the best that they could have hired from the current market, De La Rosa is a pretty safe and solid driver (it's worth remembering that Sauber turned to him back in 2010, and in retrospect he didn't do too badly against Kobayashi whilst he was there). As for Karthikeyan, yes, he has probably passed his peak some time ago, but if he can put in the sort of form he showed back in India (where he was pushing Ricciardo a lot harder than expected in qualifying and was ahead of Ricciardo on merit for about a third of the race), then perhaps he won't be quite so bad overall.
Mind you, what happened to the talk from HRT about hiring a Spanish speaking driver from South America to tap into those rising markets out there? Karthikeyan may have a few decent links with Indian businesses - although the rumours of his sponsorship package this time around are less impressive - but at the same time surely there must have been a few drivers in South America who could have attracted sponsorship and have a reasonably solid racing background?

Perhaps HRT and Maldonado were negotiating in the background in case Williams decided to ditch him. It's impossible to know who is talking to who all of the time in F1, there are probably a number of prospective deals that fall through without the media ever finding out about it.

[cbbcisace]

I can already see the Autosport preview!

HRT are not going to set the world on fire, but its two drivers in Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan bring a lot of backing, have years of experience, and may surprise some with some good results.

We should have known about 'The Fastest Indian' signing, HRT didnt move the TATA and Base logos from their website.

Their designing a new website, it still has Liuzzi and Ricciardo on there.....

Overall, whilst it has to be said that neither driver are the best that they could have hired from the current market, De La Rosa is a pretty safe and solid driver (it's worth remembering that Sauber turned to him back in 2010, and in retrospect he didn't do too badly against Kobayashi whilst he was there). As for Karthikeyan, yes, he has probably passed his peak some time ago, but if he can put in the sort of form he showed back in India (where he was pushing Ricciardo a lot harder than expected in qualifying and was ahead of Ricciardo on merit for about a third of the race), then perhaps he won't be quite so bad overall.
Mind you, what happened to the talk from HRT about hiring a Spanish speaking driver from South America to tap into those rising markets out there? Karthikeyan may have a few decent links with Indian businesses - although the rumours of his sponsorship package this time around are less impressive - but at the same time surely there must have been a few drivers in South America who could have attracted sponsorship and have a reasonably solid racing background?

I think HRT have always said not having a full Spanish driving line up.

Guess we won't know who they was negotiating with but van der Garde, Liuzzi, Karthikeyan where 3 and I heard rumours that Petrov and Jose Maria Lopez where sounded out for the drive.

EDIT: 3rd driver rumours state that a South American driver will be there to attracted those rising markets....

[RealRacingRoots]

Meanwhile at HRT, they have posted a video on their facebook of Pedro's seat fitting. I want to say that this is the 2011 HRT, and not the 2012 based on the air intake.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=432548879979

[Peter]

Meanwhile at HRT, they have posted a video on their facebook of Pedro's seat fitting. I want to say that this is the 2011 HRT, and not the 2012 based on the air intake.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=432548879979

They've had that Red Bull style, I must add, intake since the car was penned by Dallara. Things like that really don't need to change much, if at all. Red Bull has had that same intake since 2010, too.

[cbbcisace]

Its the 2011 car..................

Everyone get their thinking caps on:)

HRT car will be yellow/gold/black next season, new major sponsor perhaps??

“@lundo88: @HRTF1Team @maria_serrat Maria, Great Video, Are we expect the new car to be painted Gold/Black as your new website is that colour?”

maria_serrat: @lundo88 @hrtf1team we'll have to wait a few more days, but things are there for a reason

[dr-baker]

EDIT: 3rd driver rumours state that a South American driver will be there to attracted those rising markets....

Milka Duno FTW!!!

[Ferrim]

Its the 2011 car..................

Everyone get their thinking caps on:)

HRT car will be yellow/gold/black next season, new major sponsor perhaps??

“@lundo88: @HRTF1Team @maria_serrat Maria, Great Video, Are we expect the new car to be painted Gold/Black as your new website is that colour?”

maria_serrat: @lundo88 @hrtf1team we'll have to wait a few more days, but things are there for a reason

HRT will launch a claim to the Lotus name, that's why they're using gold and black.

[dr-baker]

Its the 2011 car..................

Everyone get their thinking caps on:)

HRT car will be yellow/gold/black next season, new major sponsor perhaps??

“@lundo88: @HRTF1Team @maria_serrat Maria, Great Video, Are we expect the new car to be painted Gold/Black as your new website is that colour?”

maria_serrat: @lundo88 @hrtf1team we'll have to wait a few more days, but things are there for a reason

HRT will launch a claim to the Lotus name, that's why they're using gold and black.

Or are the going to be sponsored by Mars bars and Magnums?

[Minardi Man]

Something similar to their 2010 livery would be more than fine by me

[cbbcisace]

http://www.twitpic.com/8g5h3n

New Team Logo.

Black and Gold Livery

[Pointrox]

http://www.twitpic.com/8g5h3n

New Team Logo.

Black and Gold Livery

It looks much better on their trucks:
http://www.twitpic.com/8g56ni

[AdrianSutil]

Lack and gold eh? Interesting. Hoping it's miles different to the Lotus colours though.

[RealRacingRoots]

If it's the 2011 livery but with Gold instead of Red, I would be okay with that.

[Shizuka]

http://www.twitpic.com/8g5h3n

New Team Logo.

Black and Gold Livery

Looks like a silhouette of a guy with a salutation...

[fjackdaw]

http://www.twitpic.com/8g5h3n

New Team Logo.

Black and Gold Livery

It looks much better on their trucks:
http://www.twitpic.com/8g56ni

It looks like Rodan's The Thinker.

[CoopsII]

If you didnt know it was the HRT logo would you know it was the HRT logo?

[cbbcisace]

http://hrtf1team.com/en/ - New Website Holding Page - Fully Operational on 21st Feb.

Make me wonder if launching new car and website at same time...

[mario]

Whilst there seems to have been some good news for HRT, there have also been a few changes amongst their technical team - not least of which is the news that Jacky Eeckelaert will be leaving the team as HRT have chosen not to renew his contract, which according to Autosport expired in January. Similarly, their head of production, Simon Jenkins, has departed the team as HRT chose not to renew his contract either. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97337

Now, although these changes seem to have been planned in advance by the team, it's probably going to make others question the stability of the team if yet more designers are departing the team.

[Pointrox]

Now, although these changes seem to have been planned in advance by the team, it's probably going to make others question the stability of the team if yet more designers are departing the team.

I think these rotations still are happening within the team, so that the people that were involved in development of F112 are still working on it.
The same thing happened with Jacky in October '11, when Willis left for Mercedes and they failed to bring Jorg Zander in, and it probably happens now.

[cbbcisace]

Whilst there seems to have been some good news for HRT, there have also been a few changes amongst their technical team - not least of which is the news that Jacky Eeckelaert will be leaving the team as HRT have chosen not to renew his contract, which according to Autosport expired in January. Similarly, their head of production, Simon Jenkins, has departed the team as HRT chose not to renew his contract either. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97337

Now, although these changes seem to have been planned in advance by the team, it's probably going to make others question the stability of the team if yet more designers are departing the team.

Replacement already in line though and I know its not the best thing to be doing but if the team didn't want to keep them or they decided to leave, then the team has to plan something.

Its better replacing them that not

[AdrianSutil]

Seems like HRT are going through a total re-shuffle.

[Klon]

The way things go at HRT, they will either be out of F1 by 2015 or challenging the upper half of the field by then...

[Pointrox]

HRT hopes to pass final crash test on Wednesday

[cbbcisace]

yes..... I've got a good feeling about the car!!!

[jackanderton]

Me too. I hope they are going to attach an engine and wheels to the car as promised, but you know how fantastical the preseason hype can get.

[Jack O Melley]

Looking at some photos taken yesterday at Jerez, I found this. Apart from the new livery, it seems to me that HRT aswell are testing new exhausts configuration and some new aero components (such as the front wing) despite using the old chassis.

[David AGS]

Wouldnt be surprised if they have tested some parts. But this test id say more for Pedro to get used to team, and new tyres.

On their website, they got a fan club, high res photos for media, colours etc, hasnt launched yet, but compared to old site it looks much much more modern

[Waris]

The colours they are using in testing right now actually make the car look a bit like the Brawn... surely that's a good thing?

[S951]

if they keep the low nose and update important things like fw rw floor diffuser etc tighten up the sidepods more will be imo the 2nd nicest car looks wise to Mclaren every other car with the bent dis jointed nose is just gash

[Ferrim]

My sources in Spain (now I'm looking Joe Saward) tell me that today's crash tests have been cleared, but that there is another final test to be done tomorrow. According to these sources, the F112 will NOT feature a platypus nose.

[Pointrox]

According to these sources, the F112 will NOT feature a platypus nose.

God bless HRT!
I hope everything will go well and we'll see the F112 in action at Catalunya

[slowest_indian]

http://hrtf1team.com/en/

New headquarters as well as a new website, and apparently a car that's passed the crash tests.

Getting their act together!?

[DanielPT]

http://hrtf1team.com/en/

New headquarters as well as a new website, and apparently a car that's passed the crash tests.

Getting their act together!?

Reading their news titles with that font (or size) is like having my eyes repeatedly stung with needles...

Anyway, they should tell people how someone builds headquarters, R&D, website and car without a relevant/known source of money. Might be useful for others. Either this or Thesan group might be more loaded than first thought...

[mario]

Whilst there seems to have been some good news for HRT, there have also been a few changes amongst their technical team - not least of which is the news that Jacky Eeckelaert will be leaving the team as HRT have chosen not to renew his contract, which according to Autosport expired in January. Similarly, their head of production, Simon Jenkins, has departed the team as HRT chose not to renew his contract either. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97337

Now, although these changes seem to have been planned in advance by the team, it's probably going to make others question the stability of the team if yet more designers are departing the team.

Replacement already in line though and I know its not the best thing to be doing but if the team didn't want to keep them or they decided to leave, then the team has to plan something.

Its better replacing them that not

True, and to be honest having a senior member of staff leave the team at any point in time will cause some disruption. It's probably still less than ideal though, given that Eeckelaert seems to have been reasonably well regarded within the paddock, but it seems to tie in with the post-Kolles reforms of HRT (Eeckelaert has reportedly been signed by Kolles to run his LMP program).

On another note, there are some reports from scarbsf1 that HRT have suffered a slight setback - though the reports are yet to be confirmed, it seems that the F112 failed one of the crash tests (although it has not been specified what particular test it failed). He has indicated that it would still be possible for HRT to carry out a second crash test and make it to the next test at Barcelona - and even a few of the bigger teams have struggled with the crash test requirements - but it is going to out the team under a bit more pressure than they would have liked.

[EDIT] According to Joe Saward it seems that HRT failed the roll hoop crash test, although the team are currently scheduling additional crash tests for later today. Like earlier commentators, it seems that he also believes that HRT can just about make it to Barcelona for the next test, but only if the following tests and the retest of the roll hoop are successful. http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/02/ ... attles-on/

[Myrvold]

Maybe this will help them...

Die Welt claims the team may soon be sold to Carlos Slim, the richest man in the world who already backs Sauber through Sergio Perez and his Mexican companies.

[mario]

Maybe this will help them...

Die Welt claims the team may soon be sold to Carlos Slim, the richest man in the world who already backs Sauber through Sergio Perez and his Mexican companies.

I have heard this theory crop up a few times although I am puzzled by the story - given that Carlos Slim Domit (who is the oldest son of Carlos Slim Helu and currently the Mexican representative to the World Motor Sport Council) is already connected to the Sauber team through the two drivers they are backing (Perez and Gutiérrez) via Telmex's sponsorship, surely it would make more sense to buy into the Sauber team?
Who knows, maybe Thesan Capital are hoping that they can sell the team to him in the longer term if they can make the team an attractive enough proposition (hence the recent expenditure on equipment for the team) - but right now there does not seem to be any clear link between the two parties.