HRT on track for 2011 - Carabante
Jose Ramon Carabante is confident his team is in good shape © Sutton Images
HRT owner Jose Ramon Carabante insists his team's future is not in doubt and that its 2011 car is currently under development.
HRT has remained defiant in recent weeks, despite the termination of a deal with Toyota Motorsport GmbH to develop next year's car and rumours that the team is up for sale.
"We will be in Bahrain and also the February test in Valencia," Carabante said in an interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo. "Just like the other teams, our car is moving forward and we are negotiating with drivers."
He admitted that finding external sponsorship in F1 is currently "complicated", but said the sport is still a valuable business to be in.
"F1 opens doors and creates international contacts. It helps your business so I guarantee I will not give it up easily because there are only 12. It's a global franchise."
The team was the slowest on track in 2010 and finished 11th overall in the constructors' championship. However, Carabante does not regret his decision to enter Formula One.
"It's difficult right now but better times will come," said the Spaniard. "We are negotiating with partners either as investors or sponsors. But I have never thought about selling. I will always keep 51%."
It is rumoured that HRT might soon announce a sponsorship with a powerful Spanish multinational - perhaps Telefonica.
"As I say to all major companies, being with us is a great way to support a national project. What better way to carry the name of Spain throughout the world."
In a separate interview with sports newspaper AS, Carabante continued: "The team is not for sale and never has been. I won't deny that if someone wants to buy 10%, 15% or 25% then we would be happy to be with them, of course. We are negotiating with large Spanish companies, but negotiations are slow and F1 is very fast. I cannot say who (the potential investors are) but we all know what are the big Spanish companies."
He also revealed: "We are building our [2011] car in England and in Germany."
Credit: ESPN F1 (espn.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment