Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

F1: No new HRT car until Bahrain reveals Narain Karthikeyan

|
Get the best interest rate
Khatir Soltani
From GMM

Hispania Racing Team will not have a 2011-specification car at any of the three pre-season tests in Spain next month, newly appointed driver Narain Karthikeyan has revealed.

Earlier this month, the Spanish team's boss Colin Kolles said the new car will not be ready for Valencia early in February and it might also be missing at Jerez shortly afterwards.

"Maybe we will have the new one for the last two tests," he said.

But Indian Karthikeyan has told the Times of India that he will be driving the 2010 HRT at all of the tests at Valencia, Jerez and then Barcelona.

The fourth and final test will take place over four days in Bahrain a week before the season opener in the island Kingdom.

"Our new car won't be ready for the first three tests in Spain where I will drive the 2010 car," said Narain Karthikeyan.

And even when the new car is finally ready, Karthikeyan admitted that the "biggest change" compared to last year's car will be the Williams transmission.

"We are not likely to use the KERS," he admitted, albeit confirming that the 2011 car will have an adjustable rear wing.

The 34-year-old also revealed that his 2011 teammate, and HRT's reserve drivers, will be decided by the team "in a week or so".


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada