New HRT car to make test debut in Barcelona

HRT’s new car for 2011 will make its track debut at the extra Barcelona test next month, according to a Spanish media report.

The sports daily El Mundo Deportivo said the Cosworth-powered F111 will be in action for the first time at Circuit de Catalunya between March 8 and 11.

Previously, the struggling Spanish team said the new car would only be ready for the pre-race test in Bahrain, which was scheduled to take place next week.

But the test and the season opener in the island Kingdom have been called off.

The final pre-season test was rescheduled for Barcelona in what was to be the week leading into the Bahrain grand prix.

The season will now kick off in Australia later in March.

El Mundo Deportivo said Hispania, to have an estimated EUR 40 million budget in 2011, is planning a ’B’ version of the F111 for the Monaco Grand Prix in May.

The last to debut a new car for 2011, HRT sat out the Jerez test recently and earlier this week skipped the final day of the group session at Barcelona.