INDIA in F1

Category: India In F1

  • Tata Tea to sponsor Narain, HRT for Singapore, Indian GPs

    Singapore, 20 Sept 2012: HRT Formula 1 Team and Tata Global Beverages (TGB) announce today its brand Tata Tea’s association with Indian Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and the HRT Formula 1 team for the 2012 Singapore and Indian Grands Prix scheduled from September 21-23 and October 26-28 respectively.
    Tata Global Beverages will be extensively promoting the ‘Tata Tea’ brand via this association, with prominent Tata Tea logos appearing on the F112 and Narain Karthikeyan’s helmet and drinking bottle. TGB’s association with Narain Karthikeyan and consequently, Formula 1, will also give it a platform to connect with a large global viewership worldwide, which is second only to the football World Cup.
    Vikram Grover, Vice-President, Marketing, Tata Global Beverages: “We are pleased to partner with Narain Karthikeyan, the first Indian to compete in the coveted Formula 1. Narain reflects the Indian youth’s latent talent awakening to global sports which Tata Tea has been supporting since the launch of its Jaago-Re campaign e.g. The Tata Tea Jaago Re Inter Milan Soccer Stars program which is in its fifth season currently.
    Narain also cherishes much the same values as the Tata Tea brand which is evidenced by his support to an institution which provides school education and free boarding for female children belonging to the backward and the underprivileged sections of the society. Also, Formula 1’s inherent teamwork, technology, innovation and fitness-centric nature synergises well with Tata Global Beverages’ focus of being a global, health-enhancing, ‘good for you’ beverages Company”.
    Narain Karthikeyan: “The Tata Group has supported me since my early days of competition so it is great to be associated with yet another world-class Tata brand. Tata Tea’s endeavour in awakening India’s latent talent in global sports is known and has given fruitful results to the country. TGB’s support will go a long way to help us develop the car and achieve the best possible results during this part of the season. Both Singapore and Indian Grands Prix are unique events on the calenda

    HRT F1 team photo

    r and I am really looking forward to them”.

    Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal: “For two seasons now Tata and Tata Motors have offered important and loyal support for HRT Formula 1 Team and it is great news that Tata Beverages has joined not only Narain’s image but also that of the team for two very important Grands Prix such as Singapore and India. This incorporation is further proof of the good relationship we have with the Tata Group, which not only establishes itself but continues to grow at the same time as the team in such a competitive world as is Formula 1”.
    About Tata Tea and Tata Global Beverages
    Tata Tea is a leading brand in India and is owned by Tata Global Beverages, a company whose products have significant presence in over 40 countries. Tata Global Beverages is a global beverage business and the world’s second largest tea company. The group’s annual turnover is US$1.5bn and it employs around 3,000 people worldwide. The company focuses on ‘good for you’ beverages and has a stable of innovative regional and global beverage brands, including: Tata Tea, Tetley, Himalayan natural mineral water, Good Earth and Eight O’clock coffee. For more information please visit our website www.tataglobalbeverages.com
    ends

  • Sahara Force India looking for a strong finish

    Singapore, 17 Sept 2012: Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix Sahara Force India team Principal and Indian Liquor Baron Dr Vijay Mallya looks back on the European season and sets his sights on a good showing to retain their place as a strong mid-team this year too. 
     
    Eighth place brought some useful points in Italy, but is it really a case of ‘what might have been’?
    Vijay Mallya: If Paul had started where he should have started I’m sure he would have finished higher up the order. It was very unfortunate what happened to Nico during qualifying, where he couldn’t set a time. Given the pace of the cars I would have expected him to qualify somewhere close to Paul, so we could potentially have had both well inside the top ten. It was not to be.
    Nevertheless a solid drive by Paul into eighth?
    Vijay Mallya: Given the fact that we were on a one-stop, we had to also keep in mind that the tyres needed to be conserved. Eighth was a result, but with a better starting position we could have come away with more.
    After Spa, Sauber looked within reach, but they scored well in Italy. How do you view the situation?
    Vijay Mallya: There have been various moments where they’ve drawn away and we seemingly can’t catch them, but all it takes is a podium finish that brings in a lot of points, and if we get a couple of them, we could still chase them down.
    On the other hand you have increased the advantage over Williams, albeit by only three points.
    Vijay Mallya: Two years ago Williams got us by one point in Brazil, so every point does matter!
    How do you view the rest of the season?
    Vijay Mallya: As I’ve said before, we haven’t had our fair share of luck yet this season. Take the case of Spa – it was probably as close as we’ve had to a podium finish, but once again, it was not to be. But I’m an optimist and I don’t give up! It’s tough, Williams are strong, Sauber are strong. And look at what’s happening with Lotus. A lot of teams that were regarded as midfield teams last year are now pushing the big boys pretty hard.
    Are you looking forward to Singapore?
    Vijay Mallya: In Singapore the atmosphere is brilliant. It’s a night race, of course, and more significantly for me there are a lot of people of Indian origin in Singapore, so they relate a lot to Sahara Force India, which is always nice. When I was living there, Singapore was very different to what it is now. It’s a lot more exciting, there are a lot more things to do, and it’s a lot more tourist friendly. Singapore should be a strong race for us because the track has always suited our car.
    Nico Hulkenberg who missed a podium but got bulk of points in one of the Euro leg races is looking at Singapore as the most-demanding race of the year.
    Nico, tell us about racing at night in Singapore and the challenges it presents…
    Nico: I took part in the 2010 race and thought it was a mega experience. The whole atmosphere in the paddock and working at night is fun because it makes a nice change. We stay on European time so the body keeps its rhythm, although it does feel strange to be going to bed when the sun is rising.
    What about the track itself?
    Nico:  It’s a very long lap with some tricky bumps and kerbs, and you need to get close to the walls if you want to be quick. So getting the perfect lap is not easy. It’s anti-clockwise, too, although it’s not as demanding on the neck as somewhere like Interlagos because most of the corners are low to medium speed.
    What about the physical challenge generally?
    Nico: 

    File picture of Nico Hulkenber. Photo by Sahara Force India.

    For me Singapore is the toughest race of the year – physically and mentally. I think it’s because there are 23 corners on the track and it’s one of the longest races of the year – always close to the two hour limit. So you certainly feel it after the race because of the high temperatures and humidity.

     Sahara Force India main driver, Paul Di Resta, who was lagging behind his teammate in some of the races recently explains his preparation for night racing in Singapore.
     
    What are your expectations for Singapore this year?
    Paul: I had a good race there last year and we’ve seen already that the car has been strong on street circuits this year. So I’m hoping that we will go well there, optimise the set-up and pick up some good points. I think it’s a track everybody enjoys and it’s an interesting race because of the unusual schedule.
    Does it still feel different to be racing under artificial lights?
    Paul: They do such a good job that you don’t really notice. It’s almost better than if you are driving during the day with cloud cover. It’s just something you get used to really quickly. The other thing is you arrive there and stay on European time, and the night becomes your day so you don’t really suffer with jet lag.
    Is it easy to stay on European time?
    Paul: It’s not something I find difficult. The important thing is making sure you choose the right flight to arrive in Singapore at the right time of day. You also have to make sure the hotel staff don’t tap on your door in the morning at 9am because you need to be sleeping for another five hours! I always go to bed at 6am and wake up at 2pm, that’s my routine.
    To watch Nico Hulkenberg’s video preview of Singapore, click on the following link: http://goo.gl/mLRj8

  • Ma Qing to replace Narain for 1st practice

    Marina Bay Street Circuit – 61 laps – 5.073 km

    HRT file photo
    Madrid, 13 Sept 2012: With the European part of the season completed the Formula 1 World Championship heads east for a swing of five Asian races that begins with the Singapore Grand Prix on the weekend of the 21st to the 23rd of September. This event stands out because of its singularity as it is the only nocturnal Grand Prix on the calendar and the European time zone is respected meaning that teams work at night and rest throughout the day.
    After a special weekend in Italy, the objective of HRT Formula 1 Team is to maintain the reliability that led both cars to cross the finish line in Monza and progress with the upgrades which will be introduced to the car in Singapore. After a positive debut at the Italian Grand Prix, Ma Qing Hua will step into the F112 once again for the first free practice session, replacing Narain Karthikeyan and joining Pedro de la Rosa.
    The Marina Bay Street Circuit has hosted the Singapore Grand Prix since 2008. It’s a slow, bumpy and narrow anti-clockwise track and is also a very physically demanding test for the drivers given the high temperatures and humidity. Pirelli has elected its supersoft and soft tyres for this Grand Prix.
    Pedro de la Rosa: “I’ve never raced at Singapore but I know the circuit because of my simulator work as a test driver for McLaren. It’s a spectacular track and probably the toughest circuit on the brakes in the entire Championship besides being a very physically demanding race because of the heat and humidity. We should have a good performance as there are many slow corners and it is quite similar to Monaco. Besides, we’ve got an aero upgrade which should help us to cut down the gap to our rivals. I have to make the most of the practice session to adapt to the circuit but I’m up for the challenge”.
    Narain Karthikeyan: “Singapore has a spectacular atmosphere as the race takes place under artificial lighting. The Marina Bay Street Circuit is bumpy and very complicated. You can’t make any mistakes as it is a street circuit. Besides, it’s also very demanding physically because of the high temperatures and humidity. I arrive here extremely motivated and in good form after a good weekend in Italy and we’ve also brought upgrades which we hope will help us improve our race pace a little bit more”.
    Ma Qing Hua: “”I’m very happy to drive the F112 for a second time in a row and I really appreciate the opportunity HRT is giving me. It will be very exciting to drive a F1 around the streets of Singapore. It’s a very demanding track for all of us, but it will be even more of a challenge for me as this is only the second time I will be driving the car at a race weekend. But I am looking forward to it and the laps that I added to my tally at the last Grand Prix in Monza have given me plenty of confidence. I have prepared myself in the simulator as well as doing some specific exercises to be used to driving at night. This is yet again another step in my career and I look forward to getting more experience at the wheel of a Formula 1 car as well as doing my best to help the team to prepare for the race”.
    Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal: “I don’t personally know the Marina Bay Street Circuit but I’m really looking forward to getting to know it since everyone says it’s one of the most beautiful races in the Championship. But also because in Singapore we’re incorporating the second major upgrade to the car of the season which we hope will help us take another step forward. Ma will step into the car once more for the first free practice session and the objective is for him to continue learning and improving as he did in Monza, where we were very happy with his work and performance. Pedro and Narain come on the back of a good race in Italy and we hope that with the upgrades they can get even closer to our rivals”.

    ends

  • We’re getting stronger, says Indian-born Sauber chief

    Hinwil, 12 Sept 2012: Three podium places and a front-row grid position are the highlights for the Sauber F1 Team after 13 out of 20 races in the FIA Formula One World Championship 2012. Last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix saw the team reach the 100-point mark – that’s already 56 more than their total for the whole of the 2011 season. Here, CEO Monisha Kaltenborn reflects on the points accumulated so far – and the ones that got away.
    Monisha Kaltenborn, the last eight days have been something of a rollercoaster ride. How did you experience the lows of Spa and the highs of Monza?
    Monisha Kaltenborn: “I’d rather not dwell too much on the disappointment of Spa. We had an outstanding qualifying and started from second and fourth on the grid. But we came away without a single point, and that was out of our hands. It was a race best forgotten in a hurry. However, the 20 points we collected at Monza were hard won and thoroughly deserved, and we’re very proud of our result there.”
    Did you really think Sergio Pérez could convert 12th place on the grid into second at the finish?
    Kaltenborn: “We know we can be very strong on race day. In Malaysia, for example, Sergio started way down in 15th place but still managed to finish second – albeit in some extraordinary weather conditions. And in Germany Kamui Kobayashi started from 12th on the grid but managed to finish fourth. However, no one could have expected that things would turn out so well at Monza.”
    The team finished last season on 44 World Championship points. After 13 grands prix in 2012 you already have 100. How would you explain this improvement?
    Kaltenborn: “Our technical people and engineers have succeeded in building a fine car in the Sauber C31-Ferrari. The weak points of last year’s car have been almost completely eradicated, while the ongoing development of the C31 is taking place at a very high level and extremely efficiently. Added to which, stability has returned to the team after a very difficult phase for the company in which we had to deal with the withdrawal of BMW in 2009. Re-establishing this stability has been very important. Another factor that should not be understated is that our two young drivers now both have another year of experience under their belts.”
    Can the privately-run Sauber F1 Team keep pace with the larger teams’ speed of development?
    Kaltenborn: “We are working extremely efficiently. The extensive package of upgrades we introduced for the races at Barcelona and Silverstone were successful. Our progress at the race track has met our expectations and calculations in full, which is a major feather in the cap of our engineers. And there’s still more to come from the C31. We’ll be bringing another series of upgrades to the upcoming races in Asia, at the same time as pushing ahead with the development of next year’s car, of course. So it’s not only a question of the pace of development, but more particularly efficiency. Here, the issue of costs clearly plays a critical role. The greater the resources at your disposal, the more intensively you can develop the car, and that is reflected directly in performance.”
    How would you assess the budget-related developments in Formula One?
    Kaltenborn: “There is an urgent need for action on this issue. For the majority of the teams in Formula One the financial challenges are huge. The Sauber F1 Team is very much in favour of introducing measures to push down costs further still. First and foremost, we hope that the Resource Restriction Agreement will be implemented and monitored effectively from 2013 onwards. It is also important that engine costs from 2014 are kept at a sensible level for the privately-run teams. A constructive move here would be to draw up a roadmap setting out the direction of technical development over a period of several years. That would make planning easier and reduce costs substantially.”
    What are you goals for the remaining seven races of 2012?
    Kaltenborn: “After our strong start to the season, many people were predicting that the wheels would come off for us, so to speak, as the season progressed. The reality, though, is we’re getting stronger all the time, and I’m anticipating that we’ll continue to deliver good performances through the final third of the season. Before the season got under way we said we wanted to significantly improve our position in the World Championship. Taking our seventh place in the constructors’ standings in 2011 as a starting point, that would mean finishing fifth this year. That’s an ambitious target, but you have to set your sights high. And I have every confidence in our team.”
    Monisha Kaltenborn with Bernie Ecclestone. File photo by Sauber F1 team.

    ends

  • Jules Bianchi drives a Ferrari at Young Driver Test

    Magny-Cours, 11 Sept 2012: A three day Young Driver Test got underway today at Magny-Cours, to assess potential future
Formula 1 drivers. Frenchman Jules Bianchi was at the wheel for Scuderia Ferrari.
The day’s programme centred mainly on two points: collecting aerodynamic data, with the car
fitted with specific sensors for this task and adapting the car set-up to best suit Jules’ driving
style.
    The day’s running finished slightly ahead of schedule because of an electrical problem and up
to that point, Bianchi had done 87 laps, with a best time of 1.18.070.
    “Today we tried various aerodynamic components which are not big evolutions for the car, but
things already tried on Fridays at the races and brought here to confirm some of the data” -
said Jules at the end of the day - “It’s the first time I’ve driven this year’s car and it was good
opportunity for me to get some experience of it. I immediately felt comfortable, with a good
pace, but right near the end of the session when I wanted to go for a time, we had a small
electrical problem. Apart from that, it was a completely positive day: I really like driving this
track and it’s characteristics are particularly well suited to testing.”
    The Scuderia continues testing tomorrow, with Davide Rigon at the wheel.

    Sahara Force India

    Luiz Razia enjoyed his first taste of the VJM05 today as Sahara Force India completed day one of the young driver test in Magny-Cours, France.
    Day one Stats
    Chassis: VJM05-04
    Laps: 65 laps
    Mileage: 286 km
    Fastest lap: 1:18.535
    Luiz Razia: “It’s always valuable to spend time in a Formula One car and today has been really useful. It’s given me the chance to get to know the team and get comfortable in the car. The biggest challenge was getting used to all the switches on the steering wheel so that was good experience and I learned about all the car’s systems. I also got to experience KERS for the first time. There were some issues with the car in the morning so I did most of my laps in the afternoon and the track just got faster and faster as the track rubbered in. We made some improvements to the car during my runs in the afternoon and some balance corrections which worked well. I really enjoyed working with the team and hope I get the chance to build on this in the future.”
    Jakob Andreasen, Chief Engineer
    “It was our first time working with Luiz and he impressed us straight away. He looked very comfortable in the car and was immediately giving good feedback on grip levels and car handling. We had a few technical issues in the morning, which kept us in the garage, but we got out straight after lunch and completed the programme. We tried to give Luiz a feel of what is needed to be a Formula One driver, so the day included some launches and pit stop simulations, and we also got his feedback on set-up items. He handled everything very well, including the KERS and DRS, and did all that we asked of him. The lap times were competitive and he set his best time on the soft tyres towards the end of the day.”
    Luiz Razia takes to the track for Sahara Force India on Tuesday 11 Sept 2012 at Magny Cours. Sahara Force India photo.

    ends

  • Narain misses Friday practice

    Spa Francorchamps, 31 August 2012: After four weeks without competing, the Formula 1 World Championship returned to action today with the first free practice sessions at the Belgian Grand Prix.
    However it wasn’t the car nor the drivers but the rain that played the star role. In the morning session, Narain Karthikeyan missed the action with Dani Clos and Pedro de la Rosa at the wheel, and the F112’s covered a dozen laps each under the heavy rain which continued through into the second session. Given the adverse conditions and that the forecast doesn’t predict rain for the rest of the weekend, De la Rosa and Karthikeyan decided not to risk it in the afternoon and neither one left the garage.
    We will have to wait and see but, with a qualifying session and race predicted in dry conditions, Saturday’s 60 minute free practice will be vital for everyone at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps.
    Narain Karthikeyan: “Today I was unable to do any laps as the conditions were terrible, but you can’t fight against these things so the best thing is to focus on tomorrow. No rain is anticipated so we will work on making up for lost time from the very start and to get some feel for the car. It will be an intense session but I’m really looking forward to going out on track”.
    Dani Clos: “Once again I got the opportunity to get into the F112 and it was fantastic. However the session wasn’t easy because of the conditions we faced. The track was very wet and the objective was to make sure that there were no problems with the car’s systems and assess the balance. In that sense everything went well and I felt very comfortable so I’m very happy with the job we did”.
    Pedro de la Rosa: “I was surprised by the large amount of rain that poured down during both sessions. We anticipated the morning session to be less wet and that’s why we made the most of it to complete our only run. We only did a few laps mainly to confirm that the car and the systems worked well, so in the afternoon, with the track in even worse conditions, we decided not to go out as it didn’t contribute anything to us. It’s been almost a month since we drove the car and the positive side was that I was able to get rid of the rust and get a feel for the car. For tomorrow we have an extra set of dry tyres and as today we were unable to test with a full deposit, that will be a priority”.
    Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal: “Coming from summer today was a bit of a shock. We expected rain but perhaps not like today, but Spa is quite unique. We weren’t able to take much away from the day, but at least we were able to check that everything worked well. Dani had another chance to run and that’s always positive. In the afternoon we considered that it wasn’t worth going out, especially as the forecast for tomorrow and Sunday is dry. Tomorrow we can’t lose any time but we’re all in the same situation”.
    Sahara Force India
    Meanwhile, amidst fears of a Sahara pull out from funding Formula One activities expressed by some fans in their personal tweets, the team went ahead with the Free Practice with Paul di Resta doing 11 and 3 laps in the two sessions while Niko Hulkenberg put in 10 laps in the morning and five in the evening. The team also requested the journalists to use the title in full where ever it is used and implied “not to leave the name Sahara.”
    Paul: “Not much to say after a day when we spent most of our time in the garage waiting for the rain to stop. There were a few moments when the rain eased up this morning, so I managed to do some laps on the wet tyres, but it was very tricky and there were some very wet parts of the track. We did a few runs to check over the car, but there was a limited amount we could learn today. You have to feel for the fans who didn’t see much action. I hope they didn’t get too wet.”
    ends

    A Sahara Force India car during the Friday practice at Spa on 31 August 2012. Photo Sahara Force India F1 team.

  • Narain looking forward to `lucky’ Spa

    Madrid, 24 August 2012: It is one of the favourite circuits of Narain Karthikeyan, the ace  Indian F1 driver, who won at the historic circuit in his Formula 3 days as it proved `lucky’ for him

    File picture of Narain Karthikeyan's HRT car getting ready on the grid. A HRT photo

    . He is raring to go after a well-deserved break and time with family. However, the HRT team announced that Dani Clos, the test driver, will take the driver’s seat on Friday. Narain, though, is confident that he would do well in the second half of the season and is looking forward to help the team.

    After a two week rest, the Formula 1 World Championship returns and it does so at a legendary venue: Spa-Francorchamps. The summer break has helped the team to regain strength to face a very intense second part of the championship that gets underway on the first weekend of September in Belgium. Spa was inaugurated in 1921 and was originally 14.1 km long but, due to safety reasons, it has been reformed on various occasions and is currently 7.004 km long, making it the longest circuit in the championship.
    Dani Clos will take part in the first free practice session alongside Pedro de la Rosa, for the fifth time this season, replacing Narain Karthikeyan.
    Spa-Francorchamps is a very complete circuit which has a lot of ups and down, whilst also combining slow and fast corners, some of them being blind turns. The track is a real challenge for the drivers and their cars as, not only do they have to take on the challenge presented by corners such as Eau Rouge or La Source but they also have to cope with changing weather conditions.
    Pirelli has elected its hard and medium tyres for this Grand Prix.
    Pedro de la Rosa: “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 you have to be able to adapt quickly. We’re going to use the same medium downforce that worked so well in Canada so we hope to perform well despite the large amount of high speed corners. We’ve all returned full of energy from the holidays and I personally arrive in my best physical condition of the season and really looking forward to taking on the second half of the championship”.
    Narain Karthikeyan: “Spa is a drivers’ track. I won here in my Formula 3 days so I have some nice memories and the atmosphere is always great. Even though a lot of run-off has been added over the years, it still has some of the most challenging corners on the calendar. And then there’s the classic Spa weather which nearly always plays a part in the final result. We’ll be using the same medium rear wing which worked well in Canada so we hope it goes well in Spa and aim to maintain our progress throughout the second part of the championship. We’re back after a much deserved break after an especially intense start to the season for us and we’re really looking forward to it”.
    Dani Clos: “Once again I have a chance to step into the car and work for the team and that fills me with satisfaction. Especially after having run in the events leading up to the summer break, for me it is really important to stay active and be able to continue growing alongside my teammates Pedro and Narain. Spa is a circuit where I have great memories. I won my first international one-seater race there, that’s something you never forget and it makes me have special feelings for this circuit. I’ve been able to rest these days, at least by not travelling, but I haven’t stopped training and I’ve stepped up the rhythm since last week to make it to Belgium in prime conditions to be able to give it my all”.
    Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal: “After the summer we head into the Belgian Grand Prix with a lot of hunger and desire. We’re starting the second part of the championship and we will try to continue in the same manner as the first part and improve. Spa is a circuit that the drivers really like because it is the longest in the championship and is made up of a combination of fast and slow corners, besides being located in a beautiful area. It is a medium downforce circuit and the temperatures aren’t extreme so we shouldn’t have any reliability issues. The weather is always unpredictable in Spa so we have to be ready to take on any situation”.
    ends

  • Sahara Force India looks to turn the tide in the 2nd half

    Francorchamps, 25 Aug 2012: Sahara Force India looks forward to Round 12 of the season, the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa Francorchamps. 
    Dr Vijay Mallya, the team Principal, reflects on the team’s performance in Budapest and sets his sights on a strong second half of the season beginning with the Belgium GP next Sunday.
    Dr Mallya, it seems like a long time since we we

    Sahara Force India cars. File picture by Sahara Force India F1 team

    re in Hungary, but what was your verdict on that race?
    When you look at how the race unfolded, you can see that we suffered with our qualifying performance. It’s very difficult to overtake in Hungary, so I guess we finished pretty much where we started. It was disappointing to miss out on points, but both cars came home ahead of Sauber, our main competitor. We need to spend some more time analysing what we can do better.

    How difficult is it to get everything right this season?
    Sitting on the pit wall and listening to the predictions and guesswork on tyres is unbelievable. The most unpredictable part of this season has been the tyres and with the high temperatures in Hungary it was always a debate – two stops or three stops. One thing I was pretty sure of was that nobody was going to try a one-stop.
    Do you know what to focus on for the rest of the year?
    It’s a complete package. It’s the car on the track, and whether it’s the set-up, whether it’s the downforce, whether it’s the tyres, at the end of the day the whole thing has to come together as a package. Fundamentally it’s a good car. We just need to put a few more points in our pocket, that’s what’s important.
    The team has often performed well at both Spa and Monza, but you’ve always said the car needs to be consistently fast at all types of track…
    Spa and Monza are among our favourite races and we’ve done well there in the past. We look forward to doing better in both of them, before the flyaway races start. But yes, the car has to be competitive on every track.
    What’s your realistic target for the second half of the season?
    We were sixth in the constructors’ championship last year and we had the objective this year of coming fifth. However, the improvement of Lotus has been exceptionally dramatic, so I think to target fifth is probably overreaching our capabilities for this year. We should at least target sixth, where we finished last year, and that means getting ahead of both Sauber and Williams.
    Paul on Spa
    Paul Di Resta looks forward to the second half of the season
     
    Paul, you’ve had five weeks to recharge your batteries over the summer break. Do you feel refreshed?
    I think the summer break was good for everybody. I spent the time at home, seeing friends, watching the Olympics and keeping up with my training. We’re only half way through the season and the next few months are probably the busiest of the year with lots of fly-away races so it was important to relax and come back fresh.
    So you’re ready to get the season back underway?
    Spa is a great place to begin the second part of the season. It’s one of the best tracks in the world and it always feels special to go back there. I never had the chance to race there a lot in my junior career so it’s nice to be able to go there and experience such an impressive range of corners in a Formula One car.
    What’s the target for the second half of the season?
    There’s still a long way to go in the championship and we need to get back to scoring regular points. Last year we ended the season strongly and we need to do the same this year. Williams are not too far ahead of us but Sauber have a big points advantage and it’s going to be a big task to overcome that. But we won’t give up; we’ll keep pushing and see what we can do. We definitely have the potential to get some big results before the end of the year.
    Nico on Spa
    Nico Hulkenberg looks back on his summer break and ahead to Spa.
    Nico, you’ve spent five weeks away from Formula One. What have you been up to?
    I spent a lot of time in Germany and at home, visiting family and friends who I don’t get to see very often, which was really nice. I also went to Majorca for a week – we Germans love it there!
     
    How important was it to recharge your batteries?
    It was nice to have a break and cool down a little, but to be honest it has been long enough now and I’m looking forward to getting back to the racing.
     
    With nine races to go, what are your hopes and expectations for the second half of the year?
    I hope that we can make another step forward and can consistently score good results. We are eighth in the championship right now and clearly we want to make a big effort to improve on that in the coming races.
    Looking ahead to Spa, tell us what it feels like to drive a Formula One car there…
    Spa is a great track. There’s just such a great flow to the circuit with some mighty corners that are incredible. It’s definitely one of the best places to drive a Formula One car to feel the performance through the high-speed corners. It is one of my favourite tracks.
    ends

  • Full marks to HRT management: Narain

    Madrid, 16 August 2012: HRT Formula 1 Team has gone through a restructuring process in which it has settled at a new base, practically renewed the staff entirely and new drivers have arrived, but there’s one figure that has stood throughout this whole process: Narain Karthikeyan. The Indian driver faces his second season as an official driver of the Spanish team and his experience has been vital in consolidating and evolving the F112. Having arrived at the midway point of the season, Narain assesses this start to the season alongside the Spanish team.
    This is your 2nd season with HRT Formula 1 Team and you know better than anyone how much the team has changed. It won’t have been easy but what has this change been like?
    The change has been a big one but also a progressive one. Now the entire team is under the same roof and the facilities are really fantastic; anyone who visits them will see the intentions of a very serious Formula 1 team. I give full marks to the management who put this together and I feel very fortunate to form a part of this team which is growing. We’ve still got a lot to do but we’re making steady progress.
    We’ve completed just over half of the races, how would you assess this first part of the season?
    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. Right now I’m about three tenths behind Pedro and that’s something I have to improve in this second half, no doubt about it. The tyres have been quite difficult to get used to and Pedro has a lot of experience with Pirelli and McLaren. He’s a very good driver who hardly makes mistakes and I must learn from him to improve.
    Both the team and the car are new, what has surprised you most about each one?
    We knew the car would be pretty basic but I’ve been surprised by its reliability and I think it has potential to improve. And the team has surprised me even more because renewing almost 85% of the staff isn’t easy and I think that we have a very good combination of people with a lot of experience in F1 and young people with a lot of hunger. But everyone is very professional and it’s a real pleasure working with them.
    How would you define or what would you highlight about your teammates?
    Pedro is a fantastic driver with a lot of experience; he’s very consistent but also quick. Dani and Ma are young talented drivers with a lot to learn, but also really nice guys. We’re a small united family and we really enjoy working together.
    The start wasn’t easy but the progress has been evident. What mark out of ten would you give yourself this season?
    We all know that the start should have been better in normal circumstances, but with the changes that had to be made and other things we inherited, it wasn’t possible. To make it to Australia with the car on time was an achievement in itself. We’ve moved on from that and have progressed a lot. For now I give myself a 6 or a 7, and if I improve my results in qualifying, then an 8 or a 9.
    Your performance at your home Grand Prix in India was fantastic. Having enjoyed more continuity and confidence, what are your expectations for this year?
    The car will have evolved a bit more come the Indian Grand Prix so I think I will put in a better performance than last year. It’s obviously my favourite race and we will try to do our best there. My expectations are always high and we will aim to improve on last year’s 17th position.
    It was something completely new in India and, as a result, the Grand Prix was a complete success in terms of assistance. What’s the atmosphere like this year?
    After last year’s success, everyone that missed the spectacle is eager to come this time round. Promotions for the race have started early this year and I’ll do my bit to help out. The Jaypee Groud have done a tremendous job putting all of this together and it’s going to be a complete success again.
    What would you say has been the best moment of the season so far?
    Probably Monaco. Pedro had a very good qualifying session and I had a very good race, finishing 15th. I think that, from the team’s perspective, Monaco has been the best race so far.
    What would you consider to be a successful season once the championship is over?
    From where we are now, it would be great to match and beat my teammate Pedro who has been a good benchmark. Added to that, if we finish ahead of Marussia in the championship standings that would be a successful season.
    Finally a well earned break before taking on an intense second half of the season. What are your plans for the holidays?
    I’m not really taking a holiday now because I’ve got a lot of activities to attend, so I’ll have to wait until the championship ends. I hope to have a small gap to spend some time with my family in India and train hard. The season has been quite intense and you don’t get the chance to train in the gym every day because you’re constantly travelling and living in hotels. So I will work on my fitness in the gym and come back ready to continue at the highest level.
    ends

  • Narain brings safety and speed with his experience: Sala

    Madrid, 9 August 2012: With two seasons behind his back as a Formula 1 driver in 1988 and 1989, and a permanent link with motorsport, Luis Pérez-Sala wasn’t entering an unknown world when he was named Team Principal of HRT Formula 1 Team at the end of last year. Pérez-Sala has been at the fore of a project that has experienced a deep transformation in 2012 and, having reached the halfway stage of the season, he assesses what these eight months at the head of the team have been like. About Narain Karthikeyan, the Indian driver who is on his second year with the team, the Team Principal says: “With his experience, Narain brings safety, and speed. Besides with his  stability, he

    HRT Team Principal Luis Perez Sala. Photo HRT F1 team.

    contributes to the team, says a HRT release.

    We’re at the halfway point of the season, what assessment do you make of these first months?
    My assessment couldn’t be more positive. Our start to the season was complicated. As we’ve already said on multiple occasions, we’ve almost changed the entire team, we’ve moved to a new headquarters where we’ve been based since early April, and all of this whilst we built a new car. It was a very ambitious challenge, a priori it was impossible to accomplish, but we’ve made it with very limited resources. Once we settled in, from April and May onwards, we started to get a race rhythm going. It’s safe to say we’ve encountered some very intense months where the team has given its all, because we’ve been able to carry out everything we set out to do.
    What has surprised you most? And what has been most rewarding?
    In truth, nothing has surprised me too much, because I came with an open mind and ready to tackle anything that was thrown at me. What I would say is that the most rewarding thing has been to see the commitment of everyone implicated in this project. These people have been united in very difficult moments and have shown bravery, honour and responsibility to continue supporting this project in the toughest moments. It’s not easy to work and perform to the best of your ability having not slept much, being away from home for weeks or going through uncomfortable journeys, but the members of this team have done it, and that’s something to be thankful for. And that work and commitment is giving its rewards meaning that, not only us but everyone can start to feel proud and a part of this project.
    Would you say that the set targets for this first half of the season have been accomplished?
    Yes, we have accomplished the targets we set ourselves, which were none other than to carry out the great structural change which we’ve done and start to have the necessary stability to be able to grow. This is a target that seems modest but it has implied a radical change. Towards the end of 2011 the decision was made to move the headquarters to Spain, create a new car and have an initial standard that would enable us to be within the 107% comfortably, to then grow from there. And we have achieved all of that, so we can say that we’ve accomplished our objectives. Now we must set ourselves new ones.
    And what’s the most complicated challenge that the team has to face?
    From here the most important and complicated challenge is to continue growing in the right direction, optimizing our resources, and getting the car to perform better. This is the hardest thing because, whilst other teams have a consolidated structure, we’re still in a transition period. In that sense they’ve also got an advantage over us. But especially because we have limited human and economic resources and that means that the upgrade plan has to be very clear and whatever we introduce will result in an important difference. It really has to represent a step forwards. The most complicated thing now is to not be dropped off by the other teams whilst we finish defining our own team and evolve and prepare the future.
    The F112 is a new car completely, what do you make of it? Do you think its maximum potential has been extracted?
    I think that, overall, the F112 is a car that has given quite a good result, keeping in mind how it started. In winter I had a lot of doubts, because the car was handed to us and we didn’t have enough time to review it. The proceedings and deadlines weren’t the usual ones and that forced us to go quicker to make up for lost time and organize the different parties implicated in the project to make it on time. But even with all these obstacles, the car has given good results. It has a good base and that’s its biggest strength. It’s a reliable car with good mechanical resistance and it offers a lot of possibilities for its development. I’d say we’re at 50% of its potential and we can still extract another 50%, mainly in aerodynamics.
    Will there be any upgrades after the summer break?
    Yes, we have some upgrades prepared for the Singapore Grand Prix. As a small team we can’t afford small upgrades every two or three races because the cost of an upgrade or creating a new piece for a small upgrade is very high. Besides the aerodynamic study, you have to produce the parts and that also implies a lot of time. So we have to make the most of any changes and have a very clear idea of the direction we want to take for those upgrades to be productive.
    We’ve been able to see how much of an influence the weather has on various races this season. How much can it affect a team’s decision making and what challenges does it present during a race?
    We’re also learning in this aspect. We’re not in the fight for points and the fact that we get lapped means that our strategy is always conditioned. But it serves us to accumulate experience and, hopefully not in too long, when we’re a part of the battle for points or a fight for better positions, we will be much better prepared to make the right decisions. In any case you’ve never got everything perfectly under control because legendary teams still occasionally make mistakes, so there’s always something to learn.
    The combination of Pedro and Narain as official drivers, Dani as reserve driver and Ma in the development programme is proving to be very positive. What would you highlight about each one?
    I’d highlight everything about Pedro. He’s an extraordinary person and an excellent driver. Apart from his experience he’s got a lot of common sense and he acts as the leader of the team. There’s no doubt that he’s the cornerstone of this project. From Narain I’d emphasize his experience, safety and speed, besides the stability he contributes to the team. Dani is a young driver, with strength and ambition and he’s adapted phenomenally well to the team in a position which isn’t easy, which is that of the reserve driver. Ma is a driver who will surprise us all because he has great potential. We saw it when he tested the F112 in Silverstone, where he showed his quality. He’s a hard worker and he has also adapted perfectly. I’m very proud and satisfied with the structure of drivers that we have and each one plays their role perfectly.
    What needs to happen for you to consider this a successful season once the championship is over?
    For me it would be a success to maintain the reliability we have and improve our performance a little bit more. To achieve this I hope that the aero package that we will introduce after the summer will help us to take the next step. The objective is to stay between the 104 and 105% and have the project for 2013 prepared. If we achieve all of this I’d be satisfied. Besides I hope that the team is fully functioning, with the design and aerodynamics department working at the Caja Mágica, although to achieve this we need a bit more time.
    Formula 1 is going through a period of changes with the renegotiation of the Concorde Agreement or the new engines for 2014. What’s the team’s view on each of these very important issues for the future?
    HRT Formula 1 Team’s standpoint is open for now. As for the new ruling on engines, we’re waiting to have all the possible information, especially with everything related to the costs that this change implies. We still don’t know all the details, but for us it is of vital importance to know them to see where we stand and what decision we make because this takes up between 15 and 20% of the team’s budget. This is a change that needs important planning that must be done well. As for the Concorde Agreement, I don’t think there will be any problems because, although we’re a small team, we feel that we’re taken into consideration and supported.
    After some months of heavy work, what plans do you have for the holidays?
    I’m staying with my family in Spain and we’re going to spend some days by the beach and others in the mountains. I’m really looking forward to spending some time with them and to disconnect to gain some strength because we’ve got a great end to the season ahead.

    ends