HRT hopes to test the F112, without KERS, on Sunday in Barcelona
Pedro de la Rosa confided yesterday that the HRT team hoped to be able to test its 2012 car on Sunday for the last day of testing. The Spanish driver also revealed that the F112 could accommodate the KERS even if this system will not be used at the start of the season.
The HRT team recently passed the FIA crash tests successfully, so the F112 has been homologated and it can run in private tests and during the Grand Prix. The Spanish team is currently in a race against time to build the first chassis that will run as quickly as possible.
Pedro de la Rosa has confided that the HRT team hoped to be able to drive this Sunday in Barcelona for the last day of pre-season testing.
«The fact is that the goal today is to try to be present on Sunday. The crash-test was successful last Sunday and since then the team has been building the car, » said Pedro de la Rosa at the FOTA Fan Forum held in Barcelona yesterday.
The Iberian driver also stated that if the team was not ready in time for Sunday, they might shoot a commercial or conduct a straight-line test to cover a few kilometers with the F112 and ensure it is functioning properly.
«We are in the car construction phase, and if we come Sunday, perfect. If not, we will still have the opportunity to test on Monday.»
De la Rosa also revealed that the HRT team had designed the F112 around a KERS – the kinetic energy recovery system. But even though a KERS was planned, it will not be in the car at the start of the season.
«The car was designed to use the KERS, but the team decided to start without the KERS. During the season, once we have had more time for testing and when we are in Europe, then we will make the decision to use it or not. But the most important thing is that the car was designed around the KERS,» added Pedro de la Rosa.
