Senna and Chandhok visit Cosworth headquarters

HRT F1 team, Hispania Racing drivers Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna took time out in the run up to this weekend’s British Grand Prix to visit their engine and electronics supplier Cosworth, whose headquarters is located in Northampton, just ten miles from the Silverstone Circuit.

Both drivers were greeted by Cosworth’s senior management including Technical Director Bruce Wood, Head of Engineering James Allen, Head of Engine Development Dave Gudd and General Manager F1 Business Unit Mark Gallagher before being taken on a whistle-stop tour of the engineering facilities.

Karun and Bruno paid a visit to the engine build shop, where their designated Silverstone units ‘Rachel’ and ‘Gabby’ were born, and chatted with Head of Engine Build Chris Barker. The drivers also left their own indelible mark on the factory by signing one of the numerous Formula 1 posters that adorn Cosworth’s walls.

The drivers then made the short walk to the transient dyno building where they saw one of the CA2010s being put through its paces. Both drivers also gave interviews to local and Spanish media, who were in buoyant mood after Spain’s World Cup win against Germany last night, before heading off to Silverstone to continue their busy Grand Prix preparations.

Bruno Senna said: “It was a pleasure to visit Cosworth, who have given us such a great service this year, both in terms of the engine and electronics supply. It has been good to see the enthusiasm and motivation of the staff behind the scenes and to see where my engine for this weekend, Gabby, was born. To see the build shop and the dyno up close was fascinating and it was a pleasure to meet everyone involved.”

Karun Chandhok added: “I have been to Cosworth’s Northampton facilities before because I live just down the road, but it is always good to see the hard work that they put in to their Formula One efforts. It is astonishing to think that they had been away from F1 as an engine supplier for three years considering the level that they are at after just nine races back. My engine for this weekend, Rachel, was also there and I look forward to being reacquainted with her on Sunday.”

General Manager of Cosworth’s F1 Business Unit, Mark Gallagher said: “It has been a pleasure to host Bruno and Karun, as well as members of the HRT F1 team, Hispania Racing and media at Cosworth this morning. There is a lot of activity behind the scenes here at Cosworth and it is good for the staff here to meet the drivers and to explain their role in Cosworth’s F1 structure. We are one of the biggest employers in the Northamptonshire region and are proud to play such a key role in British motorsport. I’d like to thank the team and drivers for taking time out of their schedule to visit us.”

In a bizarre twist of events, Karun and Bruno spotted a traditional British Routemaster bus that was parked outside an adjacent business. The drivers commandeered the vehicle to transport the visiting group back to the main Cosworth Octagon building with pictures taken along the way!