Now de la Rosa admits dream over for HRT

Pedro de la Rosa, HRT’s lead driver in 2012, has joined boss Luis Perez-Sala in admitting that the Spanish team has folded.

Spaniard de la Rosa, who was contracted to keep racing this year, has already said he is on the lookout for a new role elsewhere as test or reserve driver.

"There has been no official announcement," the 41-year-old told the Spanish sports daily Marca, "but we all feel that the project will end.

"The sad thing," de la Rosa continued, "is that there was never a Spanish team before and now I think we will not see one again.

"It was an historic occasion. With a great champion like Fernando (Alonso), it was a good time and an excellent backdrop for the national interest.

"I think it will be very difficult to have these circumstances again," he added.

As for HRT’s demise, de la Rosa admitted: "If the project failed, we’re all a little responsible."