Which driver to support De la Rosa at HRT?
Now that the HRT team has confirmed the signing of Pedro De la Rosa for the 2012 and 2013 seasons, several contenders are vying for the second seat of the Spanish team. Let's take a look at the possibilities.
Firstly, it seems that Vitantonio Liuzzi, the current regular driver within the team, is best positioned to keep his place. At least, that’s what the Italian insists to anyone who will listen, highlighting a contract signed for next year. We knew when we committed that it wouldn’t just be for one season if we wanted to improve. The team hired me to help develop and bring my experience, and I am confident about the future.
However, Liuzzi seems to have forgotten his adventures from last season at Force India, where he also had a contract for 2011; which did not prevent his employer from replacing him with Paul di Resta… Nothing confirms that the Italian could still be with the Spanish team next season.
Especially since many other drivers would like to take his place. Starting with his current teammate, Daniel Ricciardo, positioned within the Spanish structure thanks to the support of Red Bull, and who could well continue the adventure if the Toro Rosso horizon remains blocked for him. Indeed, the main positions within the Italian team seem to be contested between the current holders, Sebastian Buemi, Jaime Alguersuari, and the French driver Jean-Eric Vergne, who was impressive during the Rookies Days.
A possibility also would be that Ricciardo joins Faenza while Vergne replaces him at HRT… Helmut Marko surely holds the answers to these questions.
Finally, the Rookie Days allowed HRT to test young Dani Clos, who has Spanish nationality on his side and great motivation. “I’m ready to move up to the next level,” he had declared after his tests.
However, he remains realistic, knowing full well that he may not be at the top of the Spanish team’s wish list: « It’s not impossible and I would like to be involved at a certain level, if not as an official driver, at least as a test driver, while also competing in another category. The HRT project is very promising. »
Winter will surely be long for all these contenders, as the Spanish team is not expected to be in a hurry to announce its second driver.
