 |
Dani Clos will take part in the first free practice session at the Spanish GP(0) Spanish driver Dani Clos will step into the F112 for the first time on Friday to take part in the first free practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix which will take place at the Circuit de Catalunya. 23 year-old Clos will substitute teammate Narain Karthikeyan for that session and will join Pedro de la Rosa for the first 90 minutes of practice in Montmeló. It will be history in the making for HRT Formula 1 Team at the Circuit de Catalunya since this will be the first time that two Spanish drivers hit the track forming a part of a Spanish team at the Spanish Grand Prix. It will be a moment to remember for Spanish motorsport and a great opportunity for Clos to prove his worth in front of his home crowd. After having completed 377.67 kilometres at the helm of the F111 in the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi last November and having joined the team as an official test driver in February, Dani Clos will take another step on Friday and will fulfill another vital aspect of his testing role by completing his first laps at the wheel of the F112. A car that will be brining a series of aerodynamic upgrades for this important Grand Prix. Dani Clos: “I’m delighted to have this opportunity. It’s something I’ve fought for all my life; to make my debut in Formula 1 and, above all, to be able to do it at the Circuit de Catalunya which is something very special for me. Besides, I’m extremely lucky to be able to do it with a Spanish team, alongside another Spanish driver who I admire and at home. I can’t ask for more! It’s the ideal situation and I’m proud to be where I am with the people who have always been with me and still are. I hope to extract a lot of data from this practice session, contribute with positive things to the team and do my job in the best way I can. I feel 100% ready and I can’t wait for the moment I step into the car and hit the track”. Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal HRT: “I’m very proud and happy that this moment has arrived and that we’ve given Dani the chance to get in the car on Friday’s first free practice session at such a special and important Grand Prix as is a home Grand Prix. In this first contact he will drive next to Pedro de la Rosa and will have the chance to drive the new F112 for the first time. It’s an important session given the short amount of time on track that we have and more so when you take into account the various aerodynamic upgrades which we have brought. Dani is a great driver and I have no doubt that he will do a good job. Besides, this debut also represents another step forward in our desire for HRT to serve as a platform for young drivers to make it into F1”. DANI CLOS – PROFILE AND CAREER SUMMARY Dani Clos was born in Barcelona on the 23rd of October 1988. With a renowned trajectory in karting, Clos made his debut in single-seater racing in 2004 in Formula Renault Italia 2.0, going on to win the Championship in 2006. A year later he joined Renault’s F1 programme and took part in the Formula Three Euroseries. In 2008 he entered Williams F1′s young drivers’ programme and finished in 2nd in the 24H Barcelona race. In 2009 he made his debut in the GP2 series, with a 3rd place finish in Portimao being his best result. In his second year in GP2 he achieved his first win in Turkey alongside various podium finishes. Last year, Dani Clos took one win and two podiums in what was his third season as a GP2 driver. Also in 2011, he took part in the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi with HRT F1 Team, completing total of 377.67km in one day and leaving a very good impression on the team. In 2012, Dani Clos joins the HRT Formula 1 Team as its official test driver. Career Summary: 2012 F1: test driver, HRT Formula 1 Team |
 |
Ma Qing Hua joins HRT Formula 1 Team’s Driver Development ProgrammeComments Off HRT Formula 1 Team announces the incorporation of Chinese driver Ma Qing Hua to the Spanish team’s young driver development programme. The formation programme designed by HRT F1 Team for Ma Qing Hua includes professional assessment in his career as a driver, private tests with cars from different categories and simulator tests. If the results of the partnership are satisfactory, Qing Hua could take to the wheel of the F112 at the Formula 1 Young Driver test. Ma Qing Hua will perform his first official act with HRT Formula 1 Team on Thursday the 12th of April at a press conference previous to the Chinese Grand Prix (13th to 15th of April), which takes place at the Shanghai International Circuit. The details of the press conference will be announced shortly. The incorporation of Ma Qing Hua to HRT Formula 1 Team’s driver development programme is part of the Spanish team’s strategy in order to serve as a platform for the formation of professionals in the pinnacle of world motorsport. The driver born in Shanghai has been competing in different categories of national and international motorsport for many years. His incorporation to HRT F1 Team’s Driver Development Programme takes place after some simulator tests and a testing session in Cheste (Valencia) at the wheel of a World Series car. The qualities and attitude of Qing Hua convinced Luis Pérez-Sala of his potential to incorporate him to the programme which Dani Clos, HRT F1 Team test driver, is also a part of. Ma Qing Hua: “I’m very honoured to form a part of the driver development programme at HRT Formula 1 Team since, with work and effort, it will allow me to become the first Chinese Formula 1 driver. It’s a very special moment for me and it’s hard to express how happy I am. I’ve dreamt of becoming a Formula 1 driver since I was very small. I started in the karting world when I was 8 years old and I worked really hard to learn and become quicker every time. After competing in categories such as Formula campus, Formula Renault and F3, I learned a lot about car set-up, technique on circuits and team work to become more professional every time. And now finally my childhood dream has become true thanks to the opportunity that HRT has granted me to become an F1 driver. And even more so this year with all the drivers who are competing, with 6 world champions amongst them. Driving an F1 car will be the most incredible experience and I’m going to work hard to earn it. Thanks to HRT for offering me the chance to show what I’m capable of. And thanks to my family and everyone who has always supported me. This is only the beginning”. Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal: “We are working so that one of the team’s signs of identity is to serve as a platform to launch young drivers, both nationally and internationally. Ma Qing Hua is one those talents in which we believe and we want to help him in his career so that he can make it to Formula 1. We like his conditions and we want to take part in his formation by incorporating him to the team’s Driver Development Programme so that he can participate in races and private tests, with the objective of him being able to take part in the Formula 1 tests reserved to young drivers. Due to my responsibility in the Circuit de Catalunya young driver programme, I’ve been able to follow his progress and personally assisted some tests he did. I knew he had potential, but I was surprised with his speed, safety, adaptation capacity, attitude and professionalism. All these virtues make us believe that his incorporation to the programme will be very positive and will lead to a fruitful and lasting relationship”. Profile Date of Birth: 25th of December 1987 Ma Qing Hua started racing at the tender age of 8 and won the youth National Karting Championship when he was 12 years old. He continued to race and achieve successful results in karting until 2004, when he entered the Asian Formula Renault Series and won the championship. In 2005 he represented Team China in A1 Grand Prix. From here he would move on to Formula Renault 2.0 NEC, before competing in Formula 3 Spain and Formula 3 Spain “Copa de España”, managing two podiums this season. One year later, the Chinese driver took part in various events of the British Formula 3 International Series. In 2010 he represented Team China for two races in Superleague Formula before moving onto the Chinese Touring Car Championship in 2011 where he came away with the title after four wins and four podiums in the eight-race season. Career Summary: 2011: Chinese Touring Car Championship: 1st in the Championship (4 wins and 4 podiums) |
 |
Dani Clos joins HRT F1 Team as its new test driver for 2012Comments Off HRT F1 Team has reached an agreement with Dani Clos by which the young 23-year-old driver from Barcelona will become test driver of the Spanish outfit for the 2012 season.
The incorporation of Clos is another step in the team’s aspirations of establishing itself as a platform for young talents to reach the pinnacle of world motorsport.
Dani Clos will form an integral part of the team, taking part in several free practice sessions on Fridays and travelling to every Grand Prix throughout the season, with the main objective of learning and getting to know the team. There is a lot of hard work ahead of him but Dani will have the whole team’s support, including that of his teammates Narain Karthikeyan and Pedro de la Rosa, to help him learn and progress in such a demanding environment.
Dani Clos experienced his first contact with the team this past November, during the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi, and made the most of the opportunity given to him. The good sensations that the team and driver had, along with the objective of strengthening HRT F1 Team, helped to reach a quick agreement that was desired by both parties.
The Spanish driver will start to exert his functions as the team’s test driver immediately and will be with the team for the third pre-season tests in Barcelona from the 1st to the 4th of March.
Dani Clos: “I’m very proud to be a part of HRT Formula 1 Team. It is a great step in my career, something that I have dreamt of all my life and, finally, my dream is starting to come true. I’m very impressed with the job the team is doing; they’re achieving fantastic things in a short space of time. The team has changed a lot since we met in the Abu Dhabi tests and I think it’s a great opportunity and an honor to form a part of this new team. What they’re achieving is very important for motorsport in our country and has a lot of potential. Also, being alongside Pedro de la Rosa is very important for me, since he and Karthikeyan can positively contribute to me becoming a better driver. I want to thank Saúl Ruíz de Marcos and Luis Pérez-Sala for the trust they’ve shown in me from the start and, above all, I would like to thank the people who have always been by my side, such as Leonardo Soldevila and my father. For me a new chapter is beginning, one where hard work and dedication are going to be my priorities; I’m going to give it my all so that this phase is as successful as it can possibly be for the team, my teammates and myself”.
Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal of HRT: “I’m very happy to have Dani on the team. He’s a quick, talented driver who, above all, is very willing to progress. The incorporation of Clos is another step in our project of restructuring HRT but also fits in with our desire to promote young motorsport talents. I’m sure that it will be a very positive experience for both parties”.
-Ends-
Dani Clos – Profile
Date of Birth: 23rd of October 1988 Place of Birth: Barcelona (Spain) Nationality: Spanish Height: 1,77cm Weight: 68 kg Country and place of residence: Barcelona (Spain) Website: www.daniclos.com Twitter: @daniclos
Dani Clos was born in Barcelona on the 23rd of October 1988. With a renowned trajectory in karting, Clos made his debut in single-seater racing in 2004 in Formula Renault Italia 2.0, going on to win the Championship in 2006. A year later he joined Renault’s F1 programme and took part in the Formula Three Euroseries. In 2008 he entered Williams F1’s young drivers’ programme and finished in 2nd in the 24H Barcelona race. In 2009 he made his debut in the GP2 series, with a 3rd place finish in Portimao being his best result. In his second year in GP2 he achieved his first win in Turkey alongside various podium finishes. Last year, Dani Clos took one win and two podiums in what was his third season as a GP2 driver. Also in 2011, he took part in the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi with HRT F1 Team, completing total of 377.67km in one day and leaving a very good impression on the team.
Career Summary:
2011: GP2: Racing Engineering, 9thin the Championship F1: Young Driver Test with HRT F1 Team 2010: GP2: Racing Engineering, 4thin the Championship (1 race win) 2009: GP2: Racing Engineering, 21stin the Championship 2008: F3 Euroseries: Prema Powerteam: 14thin the Championship 2007: F3 Euroseries: Signature Plus: 13thin the Championship 2006: Formula Renault 2.0 Italia: Champion (8 race wins) Renault 2.0 Eurocup: 7th position 2005: Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: 32ndin the Championship Italian Formula Renault Championship: 16th in the Championship |
 |
Epsilon Euskadi not giving up on F1 ambitionsComments Off Joan Villadelprat on Monday insisted he has not given up on bringing his Spanish Le Mans team Epsilon Euskadi into formula one. The Spaniard tried to acquire the thirteenth and final team entry for 2011, but the FIA ruled that none of the applicants had the financial resources to justify the go-ahead. But Villadelprat told the Noticias de Gipuzkoa that the 13th entry is not the only route into F1. “We have not thrown in the towel,” he confirmed. “The most important thing in formula one is the funding that allows you develop for the long-term. We already have the infrastructure and human capacity. “We are still working with a range of investors and we hope soon to have a final decision,” added Villadelprat. “If the decision is positive, we have a range of options. “We can go for the 13th entry in 2012, or for 2011 buy an existing team.” He ruled out buying the struggling HRT team. “We are not in contact with them,” said Villadelprat, with decades of experience in F1 with Ferrari, McLaren, Benetton and Prost. “But we are confident that there are licenses available, because there are several teams in a very delicate economic situation,” he added. “If we secure the budget for the next four years to take over the project of one of these teams, we will — otherwise, no.” |
 |
FIA team selection process ‘too slow’ for Stefan GPComments Off Stefan GP pulled out of the running for the 13th team entry for 2011 because the FIA’s selection process was too slow. That is the view of Zoran Stefanovic, who after missing out on a place on this year’s grid vowed to try again for the 2011 season. Alongside other contenders including Villeneuve/Durango and Epsilon Euskadi, the Serbian outfit tackled the initial stages of the selection process, but ultimately pulled out in August. “We had applied at the beginning but we found out that the process was too long and it didn’t give us assurances on the time when someone will be chosen as the 13th team,” Stefanovic told f1pulse.com. When the FIA invited expressions of interest for the 13th place in March, the governing body said its decision would be made in July. But the decision, with the FIA ultimately ruling that the team place should be left open, was made only this month. Stefanovic said September is “too late to go in and design a car for next year”. “We think it (the process) should be faster and we think it’s necessary to have a 13th team,” he added. Contrary to the ‘plan B’ announced by Jacques Villeneuve, Stefanovic said he is not currently contemplating taking over an existing team. “At the moment we are not doing that thing specifically,” he said. “We will see in the future what we can do.” |
 |
Kubica enjoys Italy’s Friuli rallyComments Off
Robert Kubica performed well whilst contesting Italy’s Rally del Friuli at the weekend. Polish media reports said the formula one driver won some timed stages in the A6 class of the Italian Rally Championship event, at the wheel of a Renault Clio S1600. Overall, he placed 13th, 7 minutes behind the winner and rivals with more powerful cars. “I came here to have fun,” said Kubica, whose Renault contract allows him to contest some rallies, unlike his previous BMW deal. “I have to be careful not to risk too much, because formula one is my real job. But I love the challenge of adapting to rallying,” added the 25-year-old. Not including the McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari drivers, Kubica is the highest placed driver in the 2010 drivers’ championship. |
 |
Villeneuve annoyed that F1 team plans leakedComments Off Jacques Villeneuve has admitted to being annoyed that his plans for a formula one team were publicly leaked. The 1997 world champion is bidding to re-enter the sport as a constructor next year in collaboration with the Italian former GP2 outfit Durango. But Germany’s Auto Bild quoted Villeneuve, 39, as indicating he sees it as an unfair advantage that his opponents for the 13th team entry have not been similarly outed. It is believed the only other contenders for the grid space are Stefan GP and Epsilon Euskadi. But the French Canadian said: “I have no idea who or what we are fighting against. “Everything was kept quiet and we were happy with it that way. But someone who is not even part of the project decided to talk about it. That’s pretty annoying. “I can’t really say anything, because we don’t have all the facts yet,” added Villeneuve. Earlier, he was quoted as saying Epsilon Euskadi’s declaration that it is testing a wind tunnel model of its 2011 car is like “putting the cart before the horse”. He also refused to confirm or deny reports that the three 2011 hopefuls have been summoned to an interview later this week with the FIA in Paris. But Villeneuve did confirm that he is no longer affiliated with Stefan GP. |
 |
‘Glad’ Ecclestone flags less teams for F1Comments Off Although moves are afoot to fill the 13th team space in pitlane, Bernie Ecclestone thinks formula one could actually lose a team in 2011. And the F1 chief executive said a drop from 24 to 22 teams would be no bad thing. “I would be glad,” the Briton is quoted by Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. “There is a long list of teams that want to be in formula one,” said Ecclestone. “Whether they have the ability and the resources is another story.” As well as F1′s struggling and underfinanced teams, Ecclestone is also no supporter of FOTA, the teams alliance that last year waged with great influence a bitter political battle with the sport’s authorities. A new battle with FOTA is now hotting up, with teams reportedly ordered to remove sponsor-branded trucks from the Silverstone paddock. “The teams wanted to divide F1, but now they understand that it is good to give importance to the money that they get (from FOM),” said Ecclestone. “There is no space for FOTA…” |
 |
Cypher Group confirms 2011 F1 team bidComments Off The American outfit Cypher Group on Thursday confirmed it is vying for the final place on the 2011 formula one grid. A flutter of activity on Twitter earlier this week revealed that the hopeful outfit is in talks with 22-year-old Indy Lights driver and American Jonathan Summerton. “They (Cypher) have applied and (I’m) pretty sure things are looking good,” he said. With the withdrawn application of the GP2 team ART, it is expected that Cypher is in contention for the 13th team place with Epsilon Euskadi and Stefan GP. “We aspire to bring America’s red, white, and blue back into formula one,” said part of Cypher’s Thursday statement. The group also confirmed that it will potentially collaborate with Summerton. |
 |
Safetycar: Also Massa looks for actionComments Off In the discussion of the Safetycarphase in Valencia and Lewis Hamilton happy Rennschicksal has now Felipe Massa on. The Ferrari driver also sees a need for action. For he does not understand that it could happen that Hamilton, despite his drive-through penalty he received for overtaking the safety car, was able to keep his second place while he himself kept to the rules and was passed to the rear. Massa had the date on which the safety car after the accident by Mark Webber and Heikki Kovalainen went on the air, but also very unlucky. “At the time when the track was completely under yellow flags, we were already in the last corner. And when I saw the safety car sign, I was already out of the final corner and went out to the start-finish straight” , he describes in his blog on the Ferrari website. “I looked in the mirror and saw that most turned off behind me in the pit lane, as they had seen the sign before the last corner.” While the two Ferrari drivers completed a double stop, drove all the others, they were already on the box, past them. And also because Massa had to wait, was cleared to Alonso, he lost more time. “I’ve fallen back to 18th place and had pinned the whole race to the checkered flag in the transport,” quarrels of the Brazilians, who at the end of the 13th was. If that would have been Rennschicksal gracious to him, Massa would certainly be able to enter a top ranking. For with his F10 he was quite satisfied: “If I look at the performance of the car over the weekend look, I must say that the updates have brought in the aerodynamics and the revised exhaust system on the F10 is a good step forward. So that we can to fight with the front seats. Now it is important to continue to develop until the end of the season. “ |
 |
LOTUS RACING OPENS THE FACTORY DOORSComments Off Lotus Racing has today announced that it is throwing open the doors of its factory in Hingham, UK, for fans to take an exclusive look behind the scenes of the inner workings of the fastest new team in the Formula One™ World Championship. Paying guests now have the chance to take a tour of the team’s Norfolk home in 1½ hour tours, where they will see each of the key areas of the factory, including the Design Office, Composite and Machine Shops, Race Bays and the Race Team workshops – everything needed to build and run a modern F1™ team. In addition, guests will also have the opportunity to see the T127 race car up close and meet the people who make it all happen. Guests will be shown around by dedicated tour guides, who will ensure that every visitor will be leave with a detailed understanding of all the processes that go into making a modern Formula One™ car¸ as well as a unique gift bag that will add to the lasting memories of their day at the team’s home. The factory is less than ten minutes from the original Lotus factory in Hethel, only 15 miles from Norwich and 105 miles from London, so it can be reached in less than three hours from the UK capital. As they are already experts in travelling to and from their UK base to races around the world, the team can also provide advice and assistance with transfers to and from Hingham, and local accommodation requests, at additional costs. To ensure the race cars are in the factory, limited dates are available right now, and requests will be accommodated on a first-come, first serve basis. Three tours will take place each day, for groups of ten, and times can be arranged to suit each group. The first dates available now are listed below – more dates from August and through to the end of the year will be announced shortly: Wednesday June 30th, Thursday July 1st, Friday July 2nd, Monday July 5th, Tuesday July 6th Tuesday July 13th, Wednesday July 14th, Thursday July 15th, Friday July 16th Wednesday August 4th, Thursday August 5th, Friday August 6th Prices are £80 per person, with under-17’s half price at £40, and under-12’s go free – fantastic value for a once in a lifetime opportunity to take a look at the inner workings of a modern Formula One™ team. |
 |
Minor effect after 5 second stewards penaltiesComments Off The results of Sunday’s European grand prix are largely unchanged after a post-race stewards enquiry. Nine drivers were summoned to the FIA officials in Valencia, accused of driving too quickly under safety car conditions. Less than three hours after the chequered flag, all of them were found guilty and handed 5 second time penalties. Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello, Robert Kubica and Adrian Sutil finished in third through sixth, but their penalties did not affect those placings. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, however, moves past the penalised Sebastien Buemi for eighth place, while Nico Rosberg – 12th at the flag – moves ahead of both Pedro de la Rosa and Vitaly Petrov. The German therefore takes the final point from Sauber’s de la Rosa, while Vitantonio Liuzzi drops from the non-scoring 13th to 16th. (GMM) |
 |
Cosworth denies Williams set for Renault engine switchComments Off Cosworth has played down reports Williams is set to switch to Renault engine power in 2011. It has been suggested that Grove based Williams is unhappy with the performance of the 2.4 litre V8, especially its degradation as it ages. But Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport reports that the British independent engine maker, also the supplier to the three new teams, has commenced a programme to improve the deficiencies. And Cosworth’s business director Mark Gallagher said: “We have a three year contract with Williams, and there is no evidence they want to end this relationship.” He also said all of the candidates to be F1′s 13th team in 2011 “with one exception” have been in talks with Cosworth. Auto Motor und Sport reports that Cosworth is the cheapest engine supplier on the grid, with its engine costing EUR 5.5 million per year compared to the 9m price-tag for Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault power. The publication said Nicolas Todt’s hopeful ART team wants to be powered by Ferrari. But Gallagher insists that Cosworth provides a highly reliable product, while the input of Rubens Barrichello has helped the marque to improve the engine’s driveability. As for the loss of horse power in the middle of the engine’s life, Gallagher revealed: “We have found the cause and brought a solution to the FIA for permission to make the change.” (GMM) |
 |
Renault could supply four F1 teams in 2011Comments Off Jun.18 (GMM) There could be more Renault-powered cars on next year’s formula one grid than any other engine supplier. Although the French marque currently supplies its 2.4 litre V8 only to the team that bears its name as well as Red Bull, it is reported that Williams is now close to agreeing a deal for 2011. There have been reports that the Grove based team is less than fully happy with the returning supplier Cosworth this year, while at the same time Renault has confirmed it is looking to add a team to its customer engine roster. Also linked with a switch to Renault has been the currently Cosworth-powered new team Lotus, while Cosworth’s business director Mark Gallagher recently said he suspects equipping the sport’s 13th team for 2011 will be “a Cosworth/Renault competition”. A report by France’s Auto Hebdo said it is likely that eight cars on the 2011 grid will be fitted with Renault engines. “An agreement with Williams is almost done,” said the magazine. |
 |
Carlin in running for F1′s final grid spotComments Off Jun.18 (GMM) Another team reportedly in the running to become F1′s 13th team in 2011 is Carlin. Headed by former Jordan boss Trevor Carlin, the outfit is the most successful in the history of British F3, and also races in GP3 and the Renault World Series. Since 2007, Carlin has been based at Brabham’s old F1 factory in Surrey, featuring a wind tunnel, and late last year the team was bought by Grahame Chilton. Finland’s Turun Sanomat said the team, alongside Epsilon Euskadi and ART, is in the running for the 2011 spot made vacant by the demise of USF1. |
Contacts and information
|
Social networks |
Most popular categories |
