Colin Kolles leaves the management of HRT
The Romanian and the Spanish team have reached an agreement to end their collaboration, which began two years ago when HRT joined the Formula One World Championship.
Colin Kolles, Team Principal of the HRT team, will no longer be part of the Spanish team from Thursday, after a mutual agreement was reached to terminate his contract, as announced by the team in a statement: The Spanish team HRT F1 Team and Doctor Colin Kolles have reached an agreement to end their cooperation and, consequently, the Team Principal will leave his position on December 15, 2011.
This is the result of the new directions desired by the team and the decision to establish new management in order to move the team’s headquarters to Spain.
HRT F1 Team would like to thank Doctor Colin Kolles for his work and dedication over the past two years and wishes him the best for his future projects.
Last July, the Madrid investment fund, Thesan Capital, took control of the Spanish team – but based in Greding, Germany – with the project of strengthening its Iberian identity. After the appointment of Pedro de la Rosa on November 21, 2011, the departure of Colin Kolles, who was appointed Team Principal of HRT in February 2010, confirms the change in direction undertaken by the new majority shareholder.
Luis Perez-Sala, advisor to the team since its acquisition by Thesan Capital, had nevertheless assured, on the occasion of the Belgian Grand Prix, that there was no plan to change the direction of HRT […] it would make no sense, neither now nor in 2012, adding that it was Kolles who assembled the entire staff that currently makes up the team.
The Romanian, a dentist by training and former director of Midland and then Force India after the Silverstone-based team was purchased by Vijay Mallya, is known for his strong character and mentioned last August that he believes others think he is crazy. Having owned a team in the Formula 3 Euroseries and formed his own structure in Endurance racing, there is no doubt that Colin Kolles will have no shortage of projects, whether in F1 or outside of it, while HRT has yet to announce the name of his potential successor as team director.
