The HRT drivers, Pedro De La Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan, finished eighteenth and nineteenth in Italy but lamented a few issues. De La Rosa had troubles with the option tyre while Karthikeyan's race was compromised by contact at the first corner. "The start wasn’t easy but I did what I could because the medium tyres didn’t work well", said the Spaniard. "In the second half of the race, on hard tyres, I started to run well and I’m happy with our pitstop because it was […]

HRT drivers Pedro de La Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan are eager to get back to racing after Formula One's lengthy summer break. Although HRT's drivers sit at the foot of the championship table, they are hopeful ahead of the second part of the 2012 campaign. "Spa is one of the drivers’ favourite tracks; it’s spectacular and difficult, not only because of the type of corners but also because of the weather, since one part of the track can be dry whilst another is wet, so […]

Narain Karthikeyan has pinpointed an improved performance on Saturday afternoons as the Formula One season recommences in Belgium in a couple of weeks' time. Karthikeyan has been beaten by HRT team mate Pedro de La Rosa in all eleven qualifying sessions so far and admits that he needs to up his game over one flying lap. "I think that my race performance has been very strong, with my 15th place in Monaco standing out, but in qualifying I’ve been a bit weaker", said the Indian […]

HRT boss Luis Perez-Sala has admitted his first taste of the struggling Spanish team was not a happy one. The former Minardi driver was appointed by HRT's new owners Thesan Capital last year. His first taste of life at HRT under his predecessor Colin Kolles' rule was at the 2011 British grand prix. "What I saw, I did not like," Perez-Sala told El Pais newspaper. "It was a total disaster. There was no organisation, no credibility. No aerodynamic research. No home, no identity. "Everything was […]

We rate each driver after the Hungarian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel has been warned to watch his manners, according to Germany's Kolner Express newspaper. After Valencia, where following his retirement the Red Bull driver admitted he suspected a conspiracy, German motor sport association president Hans-Joachim Stuck said Vettel needed to be careful about being cited for "unsportsmanlike conduct". Vettel had suggested the safety car was called onto the Spanish circuit chiefly to cut his huge lead. "Sebastian Vettel should learn to be a good loser," said Stuck. The Cologne tabloid Express said Vettel's theory […]

HRT reserve driver Dani Clos will take to the track next weekend at the British Grand Prix. Clos took part in first practice at the Spanish Grand Prix in May and will replace Narain Karthikeyan during the corresponding session in Britain. "I’m very happy to step into the F112 once again in Silverstone, a place where I’ve got good memories since I’ve made the podium every time I’ve been in GP2", said the Spaniard. "After Barcelona I’ve really been looking forward to this new opportunity. […]

The drivers are rated after the European Grand Prix

Narain Karthikeyan has played down reports he could lose his seat at HRT because of a lack of sponsorship. An Indian newspaper this week said the 35-year-old is a million euros short of guaranteeing his place at the struggling Spanish team through November's Brazil finale. "Right now, everything is as it should be," he is quoted by France's autohebdo.fr. "Early in the season, (team boss) Luis (Perez Sala) said that if I was not close enough to my teammate, there is a chance I will […]

Narain Karthikeyan is not guaranteed his HRT seat for the whole of the 2012 season. Following what the reporter referred to as a 'chat' with the Indian driver, the Times of India claimed Karthikeyan is "a million euros" short of a contract that will see him definitely race through November's Brazil finale. The 35-year-old also began the 2011 season for the struggling Spanish team, but was replaced by the Red Bull-funded Daniel Ricciardo mid-season. The Times of India said securing the extra million in sponsorship […]

Nico Rosberg has finished practice two fastest in Bahrain, continuing on from his success in China where he won his maiden Grand Prix victory. The Red Bulls showed competitive pace with Webber and Vettel finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively. The McLarens struggled on the softer tyre, as the track temperatures dipped. The session got underway with Narain Karthikeyan taking to the track almost immediately for HRT, completing not only an installation lap but also the first timed lap with a 01:41.710. Pastor Maldonado then blitzed […]

After the dreary conditions at the Shanghai International Circuit yesterday for the Friday practice sessions, sunshine was forcing its way through the cloud cover as third practice got underway for the Chinese Grand Prix. The one hour session is the last chance for the teams’ to alter their setups prior to qualifying and the race. The Caterham of Heikki Kovalainen was first out as the session got underway, and was quickly followed by the Sauber of Kamui Kobayashi and the HRT of Narain Karthikeyan. All […]