Vitantonio Liuzzi and Narain Karthikeyan will not be allowed to race in the Australian Grand Prix after the FIA refused a request from HRT to let them race. Neither driver managed to get within 107 per cent of Sebastian Vettel's fastest time from Q1, which meant they did not officially qualify. However, HRT lodged a request with the FIA to be allowed to take part because of 'exceptional circumstances'. Following deliberation by the stewards on Saturday night, the FIA decided not to allow the cars in. HRT has had a difficult weekend, with Liuzzi's car only being readied for an installation lap on Friday and Karthikeyan only getting out in the closing stages of third practice. I think that it was the right decision becuase they are almost what 11 seconds off the pace and they will cause even more traffic. See you guys tommorrow!
This should be the only race they DNQ for. They were only a second off and having done so few laps, thats not bad.
Good. It's good that they won't be bogging down the cars that actually want to race, rather than go slowly in a circle.
Unless HRT do some pretty considerable work I can't see even Liuzzi getting through. After all it's not like they haven't had the same time (since last season) as every other team to get their act together.
Considering the lack of. laps Tonio has done in the car and the fact they were using last years wings, i think they should be able to qualify next time.
I like how most of the cars parts were transfered via staff suitcases. I would like to see how they explained that to Airport sucurity: HRT Staff member - "Its a piece of F1 car...honest!" Airport security - "mmm hmmm"
They don't even attempt to add color to their little bit in the garage, they don't even attempt to have team jackets/overalls. I think their money problems were just as bad as Super Aguri, but if they had good drivers and good people that know even the slightest about areodynamics, they would actually overtake and attract sponsors
