Pedro de la Rosa: We’ve taken a step forward

Pedro de la Rosa believes HRT have taken another step forward after a relatively successful Japanese Grand Prix, which saw the Spaniard finish 18th. Team-mate Narain Karthikeyan was unfortunately unable to finish the race, after the team decided to retire the Indian due to safety issues regarding the bottom of the car.

After starting the race from 20th and 24th respectively, both Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan were able to avoid the first lap incidents which forced Championship leader Fernando Alonso to retire. This enabled the duo to rise to 16th and 19th respectively after the opening lap, however a problem for the Spaniard during his first pitstop saw him drop back through the order. However, de la Rosa is still positive with the improvements made by the team, as they continue to progress towards the back of the pack.

"Today’s race was quite good and we could say we’ve taken a step forward, although we still have plenty to do.” Explained Pedro de la Rosa, “The first stint was good but we had a problem in the first pitstop which made me lose quite a lot of time. My times with the hard tyres towards the end were very good and we were right in there. The car was handling well and we got close to Pic and Petrov, which for us, at a track like this, is fantastic.”

Narain Karthikeyan was unable to finish the Japanese Grand Prix, after the team decided to retire his machine after his second pitstop due to an issue with the bottom of the car. This was the Indian driver’s second retirement in succession, after hitting the wall last time out at Singapore. Regardless of this stat, the 35-year-old Indian remains confident both he and HRT can continue improve next time out at the Korean Grand Prix.

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