Pedro De La Rosa cleared to compete in FP1

The HRT car of Pedro De La Rosa has been cleared to compete in todays two Friday practice sessions, after his car passed scrutineering a day late after the team suffered delays as they worked to complete the Spaniards chassis.

Before any of the cars’ can take to the track, they must pass scrutineering from the race stewards, something De La Rosa’s car has only just completed prior to the start of the season-opening race weekend later today.

The Spanish outfit have suffered a less-than-successful winter period, after their chassis initially failed the mandatory FIA crash test and then failed to make an appearance at pre-season testing. The team finally completed a ‘filming’ day after testing had finished at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain to shakedown their new car.

HRT’s next hurdle is to set a time in Qualifying within the 107% rule, which will enable them to officially qualify for the race on Sunday. Their rivals towards the end of the grid, Marussia, also suffered a difficult winter period. The Russian owned team, who were last year known as Virgin Racing, also failed to pass the mandatory FIA crash test and had to make do with a shakedown at Silverstone, unable to make it to pre-season testing.

Both teams will be hoping for a trouble free Friday, as they get to grips with their new cars’ for the first time under true racing conditions.

Follow me on Twitter - @AndyYoungF1