HRT hoping for continued progress in China

After failing to qualify for the season opening Australian Grand Prix, HRT will be hoping to capitalize on the lengthy break between Malaysia and China and continue progressing. In Malaysia, the Spanish outfit managed to both qualify for and finish the race, however some technical issues still plagued the team during the race.

"Although we managed to finish the race, cooling was still an issue at Sepang.” Explained Narain Karthikeyan, “Once we have it sorted out completely we’ll be able to unlock some more performance from the car. The back straight at the Shanghai circuit is of course one of the longest on the calendar and the tightening first corner is uniquely challenging since the corner entry is in top gear and by the time you exit you’re in second. It is a demanding circuit for traction, aero and braking stability in equal measures.”

However, the team are confident that their upgrades for the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend will prove enough to conquer these issues, and propel the team further ahead and nearer the rear-wings of the two Marussia’s of Glock and Pic.

"The start to the season was very complicated because we were behind schedule with regards to the other teams.” Said Team Principal, Luis Perez-Sala, “We mustn’t forget that the F112 is only taking its first steps and, as of today, what we must do is progress without stopping. In Shanghai we’ll have some small updates to optimize cooling and aerodynamics, and the target for this weekend is to check that these adjustments work. To sum up, we have to get more out of the car but must also improve on teamwork and coordination.”

This weekend, both HRT drivers’ will compete in their third Chinese Grands Prix. In 2006, Pedro de la Rosa finished 6th for McLaren in the Spaniards most competitive season in the sport, which incidentally was one of his shortest after replacing Juan Pablo Montoya. The Spaniard believes the most important thing for the team at this stage is to firstly finish the races.

"After these first two Grands Prix we arrive in China much better prepared, with more mileage and having learned a lot, especially after the Malaysian GP.” Explained de la Rosa, who made his F1 debut in 1999 with Arrows, “All the data gathered in the last race is very important for us, as we mustn’t forget that we didn’t have a pre season. Now we have a better insight on the areas where we must improve, but the most important thing in this initial stage is to finish races. That is the prime objective in order to learn and improve race by race.”

With rain a threat once again in China, HRT will be looking to capitalize on what could potentially be another topsy-turvy classification in both qualifying and the race. One thing Narain Karthikeyan will be hoping to avoid is another altercation with Sebastian Vettel, after their coming together in Malaysia.

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