HRT unveils its F112 in Barcelona
The Spanish team is the last to unveil its 2012 car, less than two weeks before the Australian Grand Prix.
For once, HRT was the last to unveil its new car after being forced to postpone the launch of its F112 and cancel its tests in Barcelona, following the failure of three out of the 18 crash tests required by the FIA.
The Spanish team, struggling chronically since its entry into the top category in 2010, had hoped at one point to offer Narain Karthikeyan his first laps in the 2012 car on Sunday, for the last day of private testing in Barcelona. However, since the construction of the F112 could not be completed in time, the Indian driver, teammate this season with the experienced Pedro de la Rosa, was only able to discover his ride today during a promotional filming day, limited to 50 kilometers covered, organized on the Barcelona circuit.
After unveiling a new logo and launching a new website a few weeks ago, HRT is also sporting an entirely new livery, the third different one in as many seasons. Technically, the F112 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor and follows the trend of having, like nine other single-seaters, a nose with a step that seems less pronounced than most of its “platypus” counterparts. Designed by Antonio Cuquerella, after the departure of Jacky Eeckelaert, the F112, with its fairly classic design, has nonetheless adopted the famous rear pull-rod suspensions, brought back into fashion by Red Bull.
As in 2011, HRT will be the only team, along with Marussia, to be powered by the Cosworth V8, but unlike its Anglo-Russian rival, it is not ruling out the idea of using the KERS during the season: “The car is designed to use it, but the team has decided to start without it,” said Pedro de la Rosa last week.
After carrying out the shakedown of its single-seater today and having successfully passed the FIA crash tests on its second attempt, the Spanish team is now turning its attention to Melbourne, where it undoubtedly hopes not to experience the same misadventures as in 2011, as both HRT F111s failed to qualify within the 107% rule and did not start the Australian Grand Prix.
