Canada updates for HRT as 107% rule looms

2011 Canadian Grand Prix

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Narain Karthikeyan, HRT, Monaco, 2011

HRT are bringing new parts for their F111 to this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix after coming close to not qualifying in Monaco.

Neither HRT ran in qualifying in Monaco and but both drivers were given a dispensation to race despite finding it difficult to lap within 7% of the fastest times in practice.

Vitantonio Liuzzi’s fastest lap during the race was within 7% of the race’s fastest lap – set by Mark Webber – by just four hundredths of a second.

The cars failed to qualify in Australia after falling foul of the 107% rule. They did not run at all in pre-season testing.

Team principal Colin Kolles said: “The team has come a long way since the start of the championship but we have to make bigger steps.

“In order to achieve this improvement we will be coming to Canada with some new aero parts that suit the circuit characteristics and a new exhaust system”.

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    39 comments on “Canada updates for HRT as 107% rule looms”

    1. So, how many times will HRT get lapped in Canada? I’m saying 5.

      1. thats IF they can get their cars to the end of the race

        1. They seem to be doing OK so far. Certainly better than last year.

    2. They were closer and closer to Virgin and now they’ve fallen back again to risking not to qualify.

      1. I think they fell back because they thought they’d be smart and not implement an extreme EBD, so as not to be caught out by the new regulation (when’s that coming by the way?!). serves them right. All I can say is thank god they didn’t launch a protest after Monaco!!

        1. Actually they shelved their EBD only when they got that FIA clarification in.

          Seems the postponement of the ban got them to finish it now, so I would think the protests threats were about Kolles getting assurance that he would be able to get some milage on it before it is banned.

          1. Oh I see I see. Thanks for clearing that up

    3. MVEilenstein
      6th June 2011, 17:13

      Looking forward to it. HRT is making slow, but steady progress.

      1. The New Pope
        6th June 2011, 17:22

        Emphasis on “slow.”

        1. MVEilenstein
          6th June 2011, 17:38

          OK.

    4. So why are they still in F1 again?

      1. HRT are just there to fill up the grid.

      2. The same reason Minardi, Forti, Pacific, Andrea Moda, EuroBrun, Coloni, Rial, Simtek, Larrousse and loads of other teams were.

        1. Exaclty, how bland would it be without all the hilarious stories of failed efforts and struggling underdogs.

          How better to measure Red Bulls speed then by having them be almost 7% quicker even on the slower tyres!

          1. I agree! Teams like this add another element to F1. Who doesn’t want the underdog to do well, seriously?

            Well, maybe Ecclestone, but it depends on what day of the week you catch him.

            1. MVEilenstein
              6th June 2011, 23:13

              Who doesn’t want the underdog to do well, seriously?

              A lot of commenters on this site. Seriously.

            2. Concerning HRT, Me, I dont like them, I think they are dodgy and dont deserve a place on the grid, I would rather they just be kicked out and be done with it.

            3. @fordsrule
              How are they dodgy? Like what did they do that makes you hate them… I just see a team trying to do well and has done better than Virgin who has a larger budget than them. Which if you consider the sponsers that Virgin has to HRT is sad on Virgin’s part.

    5. So does that put a stop to a protest of the off-throttle blowing of the exhaust, presumably HRT are now also using it in Canada then.

      1. I would think he got assurance, that they will be able to use the system long enough to be worth the effort.

    6. they’ve been suffering problems typical of a small team in their first year. unfortunately, they’re in the middle of their second year. get rid of these jokers and give me a third ferrari, mclaren, red bull and merc.

      1. …which will squeeze the likes of Force India, Sauber, Toro Rosso and Williams out of the points so in time we’ll lose them and anyone who finishes behind them.

        And before you know it F1 has turned into the DTM with two manufacturers supplying all the cars. No thanks.

        Why three-car teams isn’t a great idea

        1. MVEilenstein
          6th June 2011, 18:02

          +1.

        2. Exactly, not the way to go.

        3. Hear hear!

          1. Also very boring racing :P

        4. MVEilenstein
          6th June 2011, 23:15

          Although VW is entering in 2012, correct?

          1. Not sure about that from what I’ve heard they’re entering WRC for sure but wont be in DTM due to that not being the platform VW wants and likewise for Audi sticking to DTM since WRC isn’t really the venue for their cars anymore.

    7. The more gadgets they find to put on cars it seems the wider the disparity.

    8. Is this the first time that HRT have brought “updates” to a GP?

      1. I think you’re right. I thought HRT’s designers were on holiday from the time the season started, and would only get back to work once the season ended… but it looks like they might have full time jobs now.

      2. No they have once already this year:

        HRT: Upgrades should help us beat Virgin in Turkey

        And last year they changed their pod-wing mirror to normal mirrors to comply with the rules change, if you can call that an “upgrade”!

      3. The Last Pope
        6th June 2011, 22:10

        I bet they wish they could update the livery with some occupied cool spots.

    9. Based on 2010 results, HRT were better than Virgin, USF1, and Stefan GP.

      Virgin made it through a season but were beaten by HRT.

      USF1 had the same opportunity to fill a ‘making up numbers’ slot but they couldn’t even make the grid.

      And HRT must have done many things right to even get a shot in F1 because Stefan GP looked ready for F1 and still didn’t get admitted!

      1. Douglas 62500
        7th June 2011, 8:49

        Yeah… A big big shame that the Toyota TF110 did not get itself a chance to race with either Stefan GP or HRT…..

    10. If they fail this time they shouldn’t be given another second chance to race.

    11. Why are they even competing in F1 ? Is this team gaining something out of being in F1 ? How does this team make money and pay its employees?

    12. It's Hammer Time
      7th June 2011, 12:57

      “Concerning HRT, Me, I dont like them, I think they are dodgy and dont deserve a place on the grid, I would rather they just be kicked out and be done with it.”

      Really? They are a outfit set up purely to go racing. They are in the sport for the right reasons and they have committed passionate people on board.

      Ok, the arbitrary 107% rule is there for safety reasons, and currently HRT are in a position where this rule represents an obstacle, but in time they should improve. They need money and time.

      Unfortunately, the trend for fledgling F1 outfits is that one or other of the above usually runs out before success is achieved…

      The alternative is 4 5-6 car teams, which would make me turn off.

    13. Really all 3 new teams should get unlimted testing,so they can get up to speed:)

    Comments are closed.