The HRT thread

[DanielPT]

Or a brochure on cushions. Seriously, what is it with women and cushions?!

I don't know. But I like cushions too. The only thing is that I don't care as much what cushions look like as with how soft and smooth they are.

[Pointrox]

Things are visibly progressing - yes!
If FP1 and FP2 results are anything to go by, then HRT seem to not only close the gap to Marussia, but even get slightly quicker and... oh God... start to catch up with Caterhams!
OK, maybe I'm exaggerating, but given the progress HRT has made since they established their headquarters in Caja Magica, it comes as no surprise that Spaniards are keeping the pace of the pack and even get further up.

900th post - time for a celebrational pint

[cbbcisace]

There does seems to have been a general improvement in the car.

Here is to a great FP3 and an even better Q1.

I think the 2.6s Pedro was off the quickest time in FP1 is the closest the team have EVER been to the front

[mario]

There does seems to have been a general improvement in the car.

Here is to a great FP3 and an even better Q1.

I think the 2.6s Pedro was off the quickest time in FP1 is the closest the team have EVER been to the front

Proportionally, yes, that was the closest that HRT has been to the front I believe, with Pedro's time of 1m18.2s being about 3.5% slower than the fastest lap in that session, the 1m15.6s that Hamilton set late in that session, although it seems that the team did slip back slightly in the second session (or at least failed to make up as much time as their rivals did).

If Pedro can find the same sort of performance that he found in FP1 later on, then he might well be inching his way closer to the front (as, indeed, might Karthikeyan - he looked to have the measure of Pic in both practise sessions, so it is possible that he might end up splitting the Marussia's in qualifying). Added to that, the latest indications are that the difference between the harder and softer tyres this weekend are relatively small - a few drivers commented that the super soft tyres seem to be more durable than many were expecting, but the performance gain over a single lap compared to the harder compound is only three or four tenths at most. That means there shouldn't be such a sharp difference in lap times this weekend as there normally would be between the hard and soft tyre runs that the top teams do in qualifying, so the gap between the front and back of the field should be smaller as a result.

[pasta_maldonado]

There does seems to have been a general improvement in the car.

Here is to a great FP3 and an even better Q1.

I think the 2.6s Pedro was off the quickest time in FP1 is the closest the team have EVER been to the front

Proportionally, yes, that was the closest that HRT has been to the front I believe, with Pedro's time of 1m18.2s being about 3.5% slower than the fastest lap in that session, the 1m15.6s that Hamilton set late in that session, although it seems that the team did slip back slightly in the second session (or at least failed to make up as much time as their rivals did).

If Pedro can find the same sort of performance that he found in FP1 later on, then he might well be inching his way closer to the front (as, indeed, might Karthikeyan - he looked to have the measure of Pic in both practise sessions, so it is possible that he might end up splitting the Marussia's in qualifying). Added to that, the latest indications are that the difference between the harder and softer tyres this weekend are relatively small - a few drivers commented that the super soft tyres seem to be more durable than many were expecting, but the performance gain over a single lap compared to the harder compound is only three or four tenths at most. That means there shouldn't be such a sharp difference in lap times this weekend as there normally would be between the hard and soft tyre runs that the top teams do in qualifying, so the gap between the front and back of the field should be smaller as a result.

If the car is indeed better, and the speed was not a result of others sandbagging, then de la Rosa will be the man who shows the most improvements. I still doubt Kartikeyan has the ability to drive fast.

[Ferrim]

Montreal was one of the strongest tracks for HRT in 2010 and 2011, and we know that the F112 is still partially based in the old Dallara car, so it's not very surprising that they look competitive. I was a bit worried after their Monaco performance, because they had been awful the previous year, but now I think that their decent pace at Monaco was down to DLR's experience helping them to find a good setup for the track.

The team is certainly making some progress, and that's far, far more than I was expecting when they failed to show up for pre-season testing.

[eurobrun]

Montreal was one of the strongest tracks for HRT in 2010 and 2011, and we know that the F112 is still partially based in the old Dallara car, so it's not very surprising that they look competitive. I was a bit worried after their Monaco performance, because they had been awful the previous year, but now I think that their decent pace at Monaco was down to DLR's experience helping them to find a good setup for the track.

The team is certainly making some progress, and that's far, far more than I was expecting when they failed to show up for pre-season testing.

I have always thought that signing De la Rosa was a good move from the team.

[pasta_maldonado]

Montreal was one of the strongest tracks for HRT in 2010 and 2011, and we know that the F112 is still partially based in the old Dallara car, so it's not very surprising that they look competitive. I was a bit worried after their Monaco performance, because they had been awful the previous year, but now I think that their decent pace at Monaco was down to DLR's experience helping them to find a good setup for the track.

The team is certainly making some progress, and that's far, far more than I was expecting when they failed to show up for pre-season testing.

I have always thought that signing De la Rosa was a good move from the team.

Great for the team, but not so great for Pedro's career

[eurobrun]

Montreal was one of the strongest tracks for HRT in 2010 and 2011, and we know that the F112 is still partially based in the old Dallara car, so it's not very surprising that they look competitive. I was a bit worried after their Monaco performance, because they had been awful the previous year, but now I think that their decent pace at Monaco was down to DLR's experience helping them to find a good setup for the track.

The team is certainly making some progress, and that's far, far more than I was expecting when they failed to show up for pre-season testing.

I have always thought that signing De la Rosa was a good move from the team.

Great for the team, but not so great for Pedro's career

It's not like he was going to get a full time drive anywhere else.

[Wizzie]

Montreal was one of the strongest tracks for HRT in 2010 and 2011, and we know that the F112 is still partially based in the old Dallara car, so it's not very surprising that they look competitive. I was a bit worried after their Monaco performance, because they had been awful the previous year, but now I think that their decent pace at Monaco was down to DLR's experience helping them to find a good setup for the track.

The team is certainly making some progress, and that's far, far more than I was expecting when they failed to show up for pre-season testing.

I have always thought that signing De la Rosa was a good move from the team.

Great for the team, but not so great for Pedro's career

Marussia need to do the same thing with Gary Paffett, pronto!

[Pointrox]

Marussia need to do the same thing with Luca Badoer, pronto!

Fixed.
However I'd rather like to see Luca in HRT.

[pasta_maldonado]

However I'd rather like to see Luca Badoer in HRT.

And then to score his first poit at a chaotic wet Monaco GP

[David AGS]

Well, Pedro Matos de la Rosa has qualified 21st, Narain Karthikeyan 24th.

Not bad, but de la Rosa almost 1/2 second up on Glock which is positive, (17.492) compared to 17.902.

Narain was less than a second from DLR, but less than 3 tenths off Pic.

My add on, DLR was confident they will go well here, as the cars weakness is less here, compared to other circuits. They tend to struggle on the quick corners but are good on the slow twisty tracks. But I think the developments have improved the car too.

Okay, Im tipping HRT to leap ahead of Marussia in the championship this race. I think there might be a bit of attrition, but they got two experienced drivers and they can do well. They were a little unlucky in Monaco (DLR loosing rear wing at start while he made up places) and Pedro normally does well here.

[LellaLombardi]

I run a small gymnastics club and when comparing us to the clubs we compete against, we are very much HRT in terms of size, resources and to be honest, results (although improving, on a good day we are Sauber). I have always felt an affinity to them because of that. My gymnasts have a competition tomorrow morning and we have been preparing harder than we've ever done and are looking much better. I'll let you know how they get on, if we score well tomorrow maybe we'll also have an HRT in the points in Canada!

[Ferrim]

Sebastian Vettel = 1:13.784
Pedro de la Rosa = 1:17.492 which is 105,03% and therefore another new best for HRT, for the second race in a row.

[BlindCaveSalamander]

Sebastian Vettel = 1:13.784
Pedro de la Rosa = 1:17.492 which is 105,03% and therefore another new best for HRT, for the second race in a row.

Wow, they're really starting to make progress!

[cbbcisace]

The car was fastest in FP yesterday and 3 quickest today in Qualifying, thats a big advantage tomorrow.

[Waris]

Pedro Matos de la Rosa

It's Martínez de la Rosa. You must be thinking of Pedro Matos Chaves.

By the way, where is that picture of the HRT Doomsday Clock? Someone needs to update it.

[tristan1117]

Pedro Matos de la Rosa

It's Martínez de la Rosa. You must be thinking of Pedro Matos Chaves.

By the way, where is that picture of the HRT Doomsday Clock? Someone needs to update it.

I'd put it at 55 minutes to midnight. They still have Karthikeyan in the second car.

[eurobrun]

The team is certainly making some progress, and that's far, far more than I was expecting when they failed to show up for pre-season testing.

I have always thought that signing De la Rosa was a good move from the team.

Great for the team, but not so great for Pedro's career

Marussia need to do the same thing with Gary Paffett, pronto![/quote]

No, I honestly believe Paffet would be shite in F1.

[LellaLombardi]

Well the gymnasts had a Sauber day and even took home four medals. Go HRT!

[MyHamsterRacedAnOnyx]

Marussia need to do the same thing with HWNSNBM, pronto!

Fixed.

[Shadaza]

Well the gymnasts had a Sauber day and even took home four medals. Go HRT!

Congratulations, now we wait for a good HRT result (or even Sauber!) and the day weekend will be set.

[LellaLombardi]

Gahhh, I have just discovered that my gymnasts fortunes do not correlate with HRT's

[pasta_maldonado]

Well the gymnasts had a Sauber day and even took home four medals. Go HRT!

Congratulations!

[Pointrox]

Congratulations to you and your team
Unfortunately HRT will not replicate this result - it has come to my attention that both KAR and DLR are out. Piss!
The latter was even on pace and held back both drivers of Marussia and Caterham before pitting.

[the Masked Lapwing]

PDLR was maintaining a 3 second gap to the Marussias before the stops, hell he was getting away! And even Karthikeyan was sticking to the back of Pic.

[LellaLombardi]

Oh well. I was right about it being a Sauber day after all.

[Sunshine_Baby_[IT]]

PDLR was maintaining a 3 second gap to the Marussias before the stops, hell he was getting away! And even Karthikeyan was sticking to the back of Pic.

DLR was great during the weekend. It's a shame he retired...

[AdrianSutil]

Karthikeyen must've had a mechanical problem as the spin at turn 1 was pretty violent at the early part of the corner. As for PDLR, overheating brakes isn't a new thing at a track like Canada. Shame really, both drivers were doing a good job sandwiching Marussia.

[David AGS]

Well, Pedro Matos de la Rosa has qualified 21st, Narain Karthikeyan 24th.

Not bad, but de la Rosa almost 1/2 second up on Glock which is positive, (17.492) compared to 17.902.

Narain was less than a second from DLR, but less than 3 tenths off Pic.

My add on, DLR was confident they will go well here, as the cars weakness is less here, compared to other circuits. They tend to struggle on the quick corners but are good on the slow twisty tracks. But I think the developments have improved the car too.

Okay, Im tipping HRT to leap ahead of Marussia in the championship this race. I think there might be a bit of attrition, but they got two experienced drivers and they can do well. They were a little unlucky in Monaco (DLR loosing rear wing at start while he made up places) and Pedro normally does well here.

Well I was well off the mark there!

[mario]

Karthikeyen must've had a mechanical problem as the spin at turn 1 was pretty violent at the early part of the corner. As for PDLR, overheating brakes isn't a new thing at a track like Canada. Shame really, both drivers were doing a good job sandwiching Marussia.

It seems that Karthikeyan, like De La Rosa, also suffered from a sudden brake failure that pitched his car into a spin - what is perhaps more worrying, though, is that Ted Kravitz claimed in his post race briefing that HRT knew that their brakes weren't going to last the distance after they'd been hitting problems in practise, and that pretty much the entire pit lane knew that was the situation.

[CoopsII]

Shame for DLR as he looked relatively quick.

[cbbcisace]

Karthikeyen must've had a mechanical problem as the spin at turn 1 was pretty violent at the early part of the corner. As for PDLR, overheating brakes isn't a new thing at a track like Canada. Shame really, both drivers were doing a good job sandwiching Marussia.

It seems that Karthikeyan, like De La Rosa, also suffered from a sudden brake failure that pitched his car into a spin - what is perhaps more worrying, though, is that Ted Kravitz claimed in his post race briefing that HRT knew that their brakes weren't going to last the distance after they'd been hitting problems in practise, and that pretty much the entire pit lane knew that was the situation.

I did here that Toni C denied this strongly, everyone knows Canada is the worst for brakes.

[Captain Hammer]

It seems that Karthikeyan, like De La Rosa, also suffered from a sudden brake failure that pitched his car into a spin - what is perhaps more worrying, though, is that Ted Kravitz claimed in his post race briefing that HRT knew that their brakes weren't going to last the distance after they'd been hitting problems in practise, and that pretty much the entire pit lane knew that was the situation.

If that's the case, the stewards should investigate. After all, it means HRT entered a car knowing that it would not complete the full race distance, therefore suggesting that they had no intention of completing the full race distance. And because of the extreme demands on brakes at the Montreal circuit, one could make the case that they knowingly endangered their drivers.

Montreal might be the most taxing circuit on brakes, but Valencia is no walk in the park, either. It has five heavy braking zones (turns 2, 8, 12, 17 and 25) every lap. If HRT couldn't even make one-quarter of the race distance in Canada, I don't fancy their chances of making it to the end of the European Grand Prix.

Shame for DLR as he looked relatively quick.

It's given rise to the theory that HRT deliberately under-fuelled his car. They knew he wouldn't make it to the end of the race, so they kept his car light to get a bit of glory.

[cbbcisace]

I love all these theories

None of them are true of course, Pedro had been quick all weekend!

[CoopsII]

It's given rise to the theory that HRT deliberately under-fuelled his car. They knew he wouldn't make it to the end of the race, so they kept his car light to get a bit of glory.

Sounds quite sensible to me. If you're deffo not going to finish why bother pootling about at the back? Give the driver the chance to prove that he and the car are capable of some sort of pace and, yes, get some exposure.

More please HRT.

[AdrianSutil]

Toyota did the same thing during qualifying for Indy 05. Toyota already knew the would not race because of the Michelin tyre failures so they deliberatly under-fuelled Trulli to claim their first pole. But that's another story.

[Captain Hammer]

Sounds quite sensible to me. If you're deffo not going to finish why bother pootling about at the back? Give the driver the chance to prove that he and the car are capable of some sort of pace and, yes, get some exposure.

More please HRT.

Then HRT should be excluded from the sport. They are obligated to compete to the best of their ability. If the best of their ability is that they park the car after twenty laps, then they have no business being in the sport.

[eurobrun]

Sounds quite sensible to me. If you're deffo not going to finish why bother pootling about at the back? Give the driver the chance to prove that he and the car are capable of some sort of pace and, yes, get some exposure.

More please HRT.

Then HRT should be excluded from the sport. They are obligated to compete to the best of their ability. If the best of their ability is that they park the car after twenty laps, then they have no business being in the sport.

You know F1 is doomed when thay have a start and park team.

EDIT: And that was the 2000th post in this thread.