Hotline with...HRT Formula One Team
2011-07-28
Our new section, “Hotline with...”opens its doors this week with the team itself in the spotlight. For the last week, fans have posted their questions regarding the team on our Twitter and we would like to thank you all for your magnificent contribution. He are the 20 selected questions:
manu_coya Manuel M. Coya
Are the rumours indicating that Javi Villa will drive for Hispania true?
As of now, HRT’s drivers are Tonio Liuzzi, Daniel Ricciardo and Narain Karthikeyan. However, the possibility of incorporating a Spanish driver for next season is something that the team would like. But there is a big step from that to actually having a deal with a driver.
vidalpascual Jacobo Vidal
Why are you talking to Javi Villa and not Dani Clos who is better prepared for Formula 1?
As we mentioned above, a Spanish driver at HRT would be good news, but we are still far from naming that person. Right now the team’s priority is to develop the car.
VicentBorriana Vicent Lluis Ruiz
Will the team lose its Spanish essence?
The change of owners and team name has no effect on the essence of the team. HRT is a Spanish team and the aim is to convert this project into a solid, competitive and internationally prestigious project. And there are a lot of Spanish people working to achieve this.
BenitodMLP Benito
Where will the team be based?
The team is based in Germany and will continue to do so for now. But we are considering other options for the future, amongst which Spain is a possibility. Just like the drivers, it would be good to bring the team to Spain, but the priority for now is to work on developing the car for 2012.
BenitodMLP Benito
Will the current two drivers finish the season or will new drivers come in??
Tonio Liuzzi, Daniel Ricciardo and Narain Karthikeyan have all the backing of the team. They are, and will be, HRT’s official drivers for this season.
chelseabeckman Chelsea Beckman
What are HRT's goals for this years season? What can you take from this experience and apply to next year?
HRT’s main goals are to try and be more competitive on the track by improving the car with every race that goes by. For Tonio to push the team further with his experience and skills and for Daniel to keep learning and consolidating himself as a top driver. And third to finish ahead of our closest competitors in the Constructor’s Championship.
We’re a young team so there’s always something we can learn and room for improvement. For next year we hope to learn from our mistakes and experiences to become more competitive with the added experience of this year.
Fete_rmcf Fete Ruiz
Why has the name Hispania and the Spanish flag disappeared from the team’s logo?
Hispania was the name of the business group belonging to the previous owners, so the change in direction meant that the team name had to change too. HRT was chosen because it is the name of the chassis. The flag was part of the logo so when we changed the logo the flag went too. But don’t worry, it will be back on the car at some stage.
IvanF1 Ivan F1
Has the team completed its first wind tunnel programme in the UK? What are the first results?
The plan was to start in the wind tunnel in July. However, with the change in share holders, the start to the programme has been put back.
irebura josue martinez
When will the team’s clothes be put on sale? A lot of us want to dress in the HRT colours
Merchandising is much more complicated than it seems and we were working on different options for 2011. But with the change in name, logo and team image, we’ve had to start from zero. We are not ruling out bringing some stuff out before the end of season but the target is to have HRT articles ready for the start of next year. We can assure you that no one is looking forward to seeing the colours of HRT around the world more than us, but we will have to wait a bit more. As we said, the priority is to develop the car and everything else will fall into place.
Digitalvitriol Brendan Goodjohn
Now that Virgin have set themselves up for being last in the championship this year, how are HRT's designs for 2012 coming along?
The Championship still hasn’t finished but we hope to finish ahead of Virgin. We are working on next year’s car and now is the moment in which we decide what we are going to do and how we are going to do it. Without a doubt, there is a lot of work to do.
JorgHRT Jorge Viegas
What aim does Thesan Capital have with the team? And why has the Spanish flag disappeared?
Thesan Capital’s objective is to convert HRT into a solid team with a bright future; a competitive and prestigious team. In order to achieve this we need to set a solid base from which the team can grow and mature. We are working on setting that base.
Regarding the flag, we answered this above.
ivan_ISG Ivan
Hi, What degree would be the best to study in order to become an F1 engineer? (related to aerodynamics) Thanks.
There are various interesting degrees which can prepare you to become an F1 engineer: aeronautical, industrial and electronic engineering. But if you want to work in the aerodynamics field, aeronautical engineering would be the best option.
Guillec5 Guillermo Cano
Do you think you can finish the season closer to or ahead of Team Lotus? Because Virgin is already behind you.
The aim is to overcome our rivals, if that wasn’t the mentality of everyone then we shouldn’t be here. The only way to take a step and improve in Formula 1 is by setting yourself high standards and fighting to reach them.
eleazan Andrés
Is there any way of obtaining timing and tracking data of an F1 car in real time? How do you carry out the tracking?
There is telemetry of data and sensors which enable you to know what is going on with the car at all times and a GPS signal to track where the car is on the track.
Artu_Code Arturo Cortés
How has the structure changed with the new owners?
The structure remains the same. It is the same group of people working non-stop on this project under the direction of Colin Kolles. The only thing that has changed are the shareholders.
adaco89 Adaco
How does the change of owners affect the plan to establish the team in Spain?
It doesn’t affect it. The sporting project will continue and establishing the team in Spain is an interesting option.
kaiserf7 carlos
What is Luis Pérez Sala’s role in the team?
Luis Pérez Sala has joined the project as an external advisor to the team. He is a person with ample experience in Formula One and with a good reputation in the sport. We are delighted to have him on board.
ALVARORRS alvaro ruiz ruiz
What technical resources that others have could a small team like ours do with?
Without a doubt a wind tunnel.
JackJohnsonF1 Jack Johnson
Have you turned you focus to 2012 yet or are you still working on updates for this seasons car? Keep up the gr8 work!!
We are still working on improving the HRT F111 but, for sure, now is the time to start working on the development of 2012’s car. At least establish the base of what we want next year’s car to be.
dchassocks DCHassocks
What time frame are you working to with regard to moving off the back of the grid?
Two years.
GomezRS46 David Gómez
What do you have to do in order to become an F1 mechanic?
To become a mechanic, or perform any other role in Formula 1, you have to work a lot and start from the bottom. It sounds typical but it’s true. You have to start in smaller categories (local, national and small international competitions) in order to gain experience and confirm whether this is the path you want to follow because it’s not easy and you have to make a lot of sacrifices. But with will power and hard work it is possible. There are specific courses that can help but, in the end, it’s hard work that counts.
Credit: Hispania Racing (www.hispaniaracing.com)
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