HRT wants to step up with the F112
No information has really leaked about the 2012 HRT team's single-seater. But that should change tomorrow as the team might release the first images of its car. The F112 would be equipped with a stepped nose like most of the other single-seaters. Karthikeyan and de la Rosa hope that this car will allow HRT to take a step forward.
HRT is expected to complete the first laps with its 2012 car, the F112, tomorrow at the Circuit de Catalunya during a day of filming a commercial. At the moment, it’s not yet known whether Narain Karthikeyan or Pedro de la Rosa will take the wheel, but the Indian driver has shown confidence for the 2012 season.
He was able to see the F112 and believes that the HRT team has taken a step forward with this car. He thinks his new ride will be much better than the F111.
“I saw the single-seater and it seems much better (than the 2011 one). We have a lot of experienced people in the team and everyone knows their job very well. We are not a Mickey Mouse team. We are clearly in a much better position than last year,” Karthikeyan told Reuters.
If the film shoot does take place tomorrow, these “tests” will be limited as the regulations allow a maximum of 100 kilometers and the use of specific Pirelli tires. However, it will still be an opportunity for HRT to ensure that the various systems are working correctly.
Furthermore, according to Marca, the F112 will be equipped with a stepped nose like its rivals, except for Marussia and McLaren.
If the team manages to run tomorrow, it will be a victory according to Pedro de la Rosa as it will be the first time in 3 years that the team runs its car before the first Grand Prix of the season.
«If we manage to do some laps on Monday, it will be a victory for us. I did not expect to do any kilometers before Australia, so if we manage that, it will put us in a much better position than the HRT team has ever been before a first world championship race, » explained the Spanish driver quoted by Autosport.
Even if the team won’t be able to do as many tests as it would like, being able to cover a few kilometers will allow it to check that everything is functioning correctly because there are many new parts, with the F112 having very few elements from the F111.
« It is important to do a few laps to check the car’s systems, to ensure everything is working well, because this is an entirely new single-seater. There is nothing from last year. It is very different, because if you look at the single-seaters of other teams, they are all evolutions from last year, » added Pedro de la Rosa.
Update: HRT announced on their website that it will be Narain Karthikeyan driving at Barcelona tomorrow for the shooting of this commercial. Pedro de la Rosa and Dani Clos will be present alongside the engineers.
