Friday: HRT still has room for improvement in Abu Dhabi

Pedro de la Rosa – 21st and 23rd:

« The initial goal was to find the right balance of the car, and we achieved it quite early. Then, we focused on evaluating different configurations to see where we stood and optimize brake cooling. The grip level on the track is quite low, and the difference between the two tire compounds is smaller than expected. With the Mediums, the car is performing well, but with the Softs, the grip is better, although we can still extract more. Our pace is good, and the brake tests went well, so we are optimistic, even if there is room for improvement. »

Ma Qing Hua – 23rd [in Free Practice 1]:

« It was great to get back in the car for a practice session and the circuit is stunning. I had never driven here, and the conditions were not easy because of the heat and the low downforce. The car was sliding around a bit and was difficult to control as it suffered from oversteer. In the first stint, we did some engine testing to develop the car’s performance and also worked on the overall balance. We weren’t aiming to set a time, but towards the end, I was able to do a few laps to improve my driving. Overall, it was a rather positive workday for the team, and we achieved our goal. »

Narain Karthikeyan – 24th [in Free Practice 2]:

« I didn’t know the track before this, and it is more demanding and technical than expected, both physically and for the car because there’s not much grip. The goal today was simply to drive as much as possible, and we will focus tomorrow on adjusting a few minor details before qualifying. We still have three sets of tires, two Soft and one Medium, and if we make the most of them, I’m confident that we will be more competitive. »