HRT looking for Malaysian GP improvement

After a disastrous start to the 2012 season, HRT are looking to improve as the F1 fraternity heads to Malaysian for round two of the Championship. In Australia, both the HRT’s of Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan failed set a time within the 107% rule, which resulted in both drivers’ failing to qualify for the race.

Last season, both HRT’s were also unable to qualify for the season-opener in Australia, however they were able to turn that around at round two in Malaysia. The Spanish outfit will be hoping history repeats itself this weekend, and that they can finally put their gremlins behind them and qualify for the race.

"Our two main priorities for Malaysia are to have DRS and improve the power steering in this short time that we have whilst being away from Europe.” Said Pedro de la Rosa, “In Australia we were only able to complete 7 timed laps so I need get more track time, get to know the car better and improve the set-up. If we can achieve this then we could have a good Grand Prix.”

"It wasn’t an easy first weekend for us in Melbourne but the team is working hard and we hope to complete the maximum amount of kilometers with the new car so that we can have it in prime conditions for qualifying and the race.” Explained Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan, “The team is working on solving the reliability issues that we encountered, so I’m confident that things will go better in Malaysia.”

If both drivers’ do fail to qualify once again, serious questions could well arise as to the future of HRT. With their nearest rivals Marussia and Caterham successfully competing in Australia, it seems HRT are still stuck in reverse in a sport that progresses at a phenomenal rate.

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