An article in ESPN F1 entitled HRT looking for young second driver (today: 11 01 2012) also reveals other ambitions:
The team's technical director, Jacky Eeckelaert is quoted as saying, "I don't think it's in the interests of the team to have a second Spanish driver. The same goes for the drivers approaching retirement." And in reference to Tonio Liuzzi, he appears to have poured cold water on any further hope he may have had of remaining with the team: "He hasn't really confirmed himself after several chances. We are looking more for a young driver with a lot of potential."
"I believe the feeling was that Hispania's German operation was becoming ever less viable, and that relocating to 'home ground' was the long-term plan, where there is a strong possibility of help from their national government.
As long ago as the 2011 Spanish Grand Prix, HRT's chief executive: José Carabante, made the following statement:
"We are always thinking of the possibility to move all the team to Spain, and we are working hard on this. I think the idea of having all the team together, especially here in Spain, will make us a strong team. After our first season it was not an easy beginning. Now I think we are in a different position and the result is clear: We are improving in all the areas. Every race we are looking at how we can improve, and the result is clear."
This suggests to me that the move to Spain was likely to have been a very significant - possibly even crucial - part of the long-term business plan, perhaps going all the way back to their take-over from Campos.
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The team's technical director, Jacky Eeckelaert is quoted as saying, "I don't think it's in the interests of the team to have a second Spanish driver. The same goes for the drivers approaching retirement." And in reference to Tonio Liuzzi, he appears to have poured cold water on any further hope he may have had of remaining with the team: "He hasn't really confirmed himself after several chances. We are looking more for a young driver with a lot of potential."
- - - o0o - - -
Perhaps more significantly, the article also reveals that the decision to relocate to Spain has now been made, and according to Eeckelaert, involves a loss of 90% of the team's personnel! This reminded me of a few things I'd heard last summer and prompted me to write the following comment in another forum (cosicave elsewhere):
"I believe the feeling was that Hispania's German operation was becoming ever less viable, and that relocating to 'home ground' was the long-term plan, where there is a strong possibility of help from their national government.
As long ago as the 2011 Spanish Grand Prix, HRT's chief executive: José Carabante, made the following statement:
"We are always thinking of the possibility to move all the team to Spain, and we are working hard on this. I think the idea of having all the team together, especially here in Spain, will make us a strong team. After our first season it was not an easy beginning. Now I think we are in a different position and the result is clear: We are improving in all the areas. Every race we are looking at how we can improve, and the result is clear."
This suggests to me that the move to Spain was likely to have been a very significant - possibly even crucial - part of the long-term business plan, perhaps going all the way back to their take-over from Campos.
©"
