The second HRT driver known in 2012

For now, HRT has only officially announced one driver, Pedro de la Rosa. The Spanish driver does not yet know who will support him next season. Several driver names have been mentioned, such as Vitantonio Liuzzi, who says he has a contract for 2012; some also mention Vitaly Petrov or Jaime Alguersuari.

Luis Pérez-Sala acknowledged that the team was discussing with several drivers without specifying names. He also explained that the team would not make a decision quickly, so the second HRT driver would only be announced in 2012.

« We are in advanced discussions with several drivers, but we cannot anticipate things at the moment. It’s a decision we won’t make until the beginning of next year because, at this stage, who will be the second driver of the team next year is probably the least urgent thing at the moment, » said Luis Pérez-Sala.

The most urgent task for Pérez-Sala and the HRT team is to consolidate the team to enable it to develop and grow in the months and years to come.

Until now, our main objective has been to consolidate the structure of our team. We still need to recruit people and determine important roles, but that’s normal and we are prepared for it. Now the most important thing, given the defined strategy, is to finish setting up this foundation so we can start to grow and build a future for ourselves.

Luis Pérez-Sala acknowledged that the Hispania Racing team was not in the best position to approach the 2012 F1 season because many changes have been made within the team in recent weeks, and this could penalize them.

«Our main weakness is that the team is still going through a process of change, and it is December while Formula 1 never stops. It’s a competition where deadlines are set, and you are constantly scrutinized publicly, officially, and permanently. This is our main issue today with this restructuring. But what is certain is that we will work hard and make the necessary efforts.»

To face this difficult period, the director of the Spanish team relies on his troops, whom he knows are motivated and determined to succeed.

The main strength of the team is the people who make it up. There is a good group of professionals, with a lot of enthusiasm, determination, and confidence in this project, which is very important because the sacrifices made and to come are very significant.

The primary objective of the team remains to design its single-seater for 2012 and ensure that it can take part in pre-season testing and the first race of the year 2012, on March 18 in Australia.

In the short term, the main objective is to consolidate our project. Create a good team in Spain that works with the technical part in Munich. And of course, have the 2012 car ready for the start of the season to take part in the first race and all possible pre-season tests.

Given the transformation the Spanish team is going through, it is expected to face some difficulties in 2012 as everything falls into place, but this is not something that worries Luis Pérez-Sala because he knows it is just a step towards growth.

The task ahead of us, with the design of the car and the relocation of the headquarters, is enormous. Formula 1 is very complicated and involves a lot of preparatory work so, considering this, HRT is a little behind the other teams. We will feel the effects of this transformation of the team and we will pay for it at the beginning of the season.

We will not be at the same level of performance as at the end of the season (2011), where the team was managed by the same people for two years, but we are aware of this. We are taking a step back to move forward better. 2012 will be an important year for us to settle in and to face a more normal and stable situation in 2013.

Once a good structure is in place, the team will have a simple goal: to get closer to its rivals and beat them.

In the medium term, we intend to improve the car and get closer to our rivals compared to last year. To see what our strengths and weaknesses are and work on them to improve at every Grand Prix. In the long term, with a better car and a solid structure, we will think about the strategy for 2013, and then 2014 with significant regulatory changes, added Luis Pérez-Sala.