• United States Grand Prix

De la Rosa denies rumours HRT's are unsafe to run

ESPN Staff
November 15, 2012 « HRT gives Ma FP1 run | Kobayashi unfazed by turn one at COTA »
HRT's future is uncertain after Thesan Capital put the team up for sale © Sutton Images
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Pedro de la Rosa has dismissed claims that his HRT car would be unsafe to run at the United States Grand Prix.

HRT is up for sale and Spanish media reports had claimed that the two cars could be unsafe due to a lack of spare parts in Austin. However, when asked about the validity of the reports, de la Rosa said that despite HRT's troubles the team was professional enough to ensure its cars were fit to take to the circuit.

"It's something that I'm not aware of and it's the first news comes from you," de la Rosa said. "All I can say is that we might be modest, we are small and we are what we are - but we are a professional Formula One team and for sure when we start running it's because the car is safe. I'm experienced enough to… y'know, I would never jump into an unsafe car because of parts being too old. So no, the answer is, the car is slow but it's safe."

De la Rosa also said that the current off-track situation would not affect the team's determination to secure good results between now and the end of the season.

"All I can say is, we are here, that there are two Grands Prix to go and no matter what's going on in the background, we will give it 100 per cent like we've always done. No matter in which position we fight and who we fight against we will do a professional job. We are here to do that and there are two very interesting Grands Prix left. Hopefully there's some more retirements than in the last few races, even more and we can achieve a good result. But first we have to finish the races and make sure that we do as much as we can on both Friday sessions that are left."

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