Formula 1: HRT Write Off 2012 Chances

HRT have announced that they are likely to start the 2012 season in worse shape than they were in at the end of 2011. 

So we're looking at worse than battling, usually in vain, to avoid locking out the back row of the grid.  Ouch.

The primary reason is that the team are transferring their racing operations from Germany to Spain—part of team owner Thesan Capital's long-term project to make the team "progressively more Spanish."

This is a huge upheaval for any team, and more so for a relatively new and inexperienced constructor.  The development of the new car will be a major challenge, as will the issue of personnel.

Some employees will relocate, but many will not.  New staff will need to be recruited at the new base.  And though it has a long history in other forms of motor sport, Spain is not awash with F1-experienced engineers, technicians and mechanics.

New Team Principle Luis Pérez-Sala said:

"

The task ahead of us, with the design of the car and change of headquarters, is huge.  Formula 1 is very complicated and implies a lot of preparation work as it so, in this respect, HRT is a little bit behind other teams.  We will feel the effects of this transformation the team is going through and will have "pay" for it at the start of the season.  We're not going to be at the same level as when we finished this past season, where the same team had been running for two years, but we're aware of that.  We're taking a step back so that we can take two forward.  2012 will be an important year for us to settle and face a more natural and stable situation in 2013.

"

Sala, though new to HRT, is not new to the sport, having been a driver in the 1980s.

No, me neither.  But he did score one point from 26 race starts (6th place at the British Grand Prix of 1989), so he at least has a better record than his new team.

He replaces Colin Kolles.  Kolles, a man not synonymous with success or progress in F1, was seemingly given the role as part of a deal to use facilities he owned in Germany. 

With the team's move to Spain, they no longer need those facilities and can at least break away from one handicap. 

Sala will hopefully bring a new approach and will have the full backing of the team owners.

Unfortunately, he's spent his first week in the job making preemptive excuses for the team's terrible performances in a season which is still three months away from starting.

Who'll Be Driving the Cars?

On the drivers front, HRT signed 40-year-old journeyman Pedro de la Rosa as their lead driver back in November.

De la Rosa never had much success on the track, but he did spend a long and fruitful period at McLaren as a test and reserve driver.  It's likely his experience in car development was crucial in securing a deal.

Jaime Alguersuari has been heavily tipped for the second seat at the team following his release from Toro Rosso.  He is Spanish after all, and without question a better driving prospect than de la Rosa.

But Sala says that it's unlikely Alguersuari will be able to rescue his F1 career with HRT.

“It's clear that it would be a dream to have him, the very best Christmas present, but I doubt it is realistic because we already have a path with very long conversations with other drivers,” Sala said.

Which is a nice way of saying Jaime doesn't have a fabulously wealthy sponsor to buy him a drive.  Blessing in disguise?

Expect a relative unknown with a patchy record in the lower formulae.

Any Good News?

Yes.  Thesan Capital do appear to be in it for the long run, and are investing in providing the team with a more solid foundation for the future. 

While multiyear plans don't have a fantastic history in F1 (just ask Toyota, Honda and BAR), a team like HRT need one, and it's promising to see a constructor which previously had few prospects looking as far forward as 2014.

And getting away from Colin Kolles is somewhat akin to winning the F1 lottery. 

It was a brave move to write off 2012 while still in 2011, and it's disappointing that one of the "new teams" looks a shoe-in to occupy the rear of the grid for yet another year.

But HRT's honesty is refreshing—and I don't think anyone expected much from them anyway.