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HRT to start season with new car

ESPNF1 Staff
January 21, 2012 « FIA bans reactive ride height for 2012 | Austin reveals ticketing details for US Grand Prix »
Pedro de la Rosa will drive for HRT in 2012 © Sutton Images
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HRT insits it will begin the 2012 season with a new car after saying it plans to run the new chassis at the second pre-season test session at Barcelona.

The BBC quoted a team spokeswoman as admitting to a 'critical delay' but that they expected the car to be ready on time.

"Rumours that we will take part in the initial grands prix with the 2011 car are not true," said the spokeswoman. "The target is to be at the second test with the new car."

HRT starts the 2012 season with new team owners and new team principal Luis Perez-Sala, who was unavailable for comment.

"Luis Perez-Sala is fully focused at the moment on the car and the new structure, and he prefers not to give any statements or interviews to the press for now until everything is in place. The philosophy of the new owners has always been first work and then talk. And try to be as open and honest as possible."

Pedro de la Rosa has already been confirmed as one of the team's drivers for 2012 but HRT has yet to reveal their choice as his team-mate.

"There's been, and still is, a lot to work on but, even if we may struggle in the beginning, the structure that is being built now is a lot more solid, reliable and committed. Hopefully, we'll be able to prove all that soon and change the team's perception, which is no longer real. It won't be a bed of roses but we'll manage to do it."

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