HRT has reportedly bought Japanese carmaker Toyota’s former formula one team.

The new Spanish team has struggled with its Dallara-built car and a lack of development in 2010.

It was initially believed that Hispania Racing, bought by Jose Ramon Carabante from Adrian Campos before the start of its debut season, had agreed a deal to base its 2011 car on the unraced Toyota TF110.

It is for this reason, according to paddock speculation, that Toyota Motorsport only made available its 2009 car for Pirelli’s tyre testing programme.

It has been subsequently reported that HRT could buy hydraulic systems and gearboxes from the British team Williams for 2010.

But Auto Motor und Sport, citing “reliable sources”, reports that HRT has bought “the expertise, equipment and facilities” of Toyota’s Cologne based team.

At the same time, the magazine notes rumours that Hispania is behind in its payments to engine supplier Cosworth.

Williams has not denied reports it intends to sell its hydraulic systems and gearboxes to HRT in 2011.

The report emerged in Korea at the weekend, after the famous British team had in September admitted to receiving “enquiries” from other teams about its technical expertise.

“The status quo has not materially changed at the moment,” a spokesman told us on Monday.

“We have publicly confirmed that we are amenable to supply elements of our drivetrain technology to other teams, but as yet we have not reached hard agreement with any customers.

“Of course we will make an announcement – or announcements – if and when we enter into any supply agreements,” the Williams official added.

The struggling HRT team has emerged as a likely customer for technical support by Williams in 2011.

Last month it was reported that famous British team Williams could be set to supply its hydraulic systems and gearboxes to one or more of the sport’s small new teams.

In 2010, the standard Xtrac systems have proved outdated and unreliable, and Lotus broke ranks to arrange of a supply of Red Bull’s technology for 2011.

“We’ve had enquiries for our hydraulics and gearbox, we’re open to supplying it, but nothing has been agreed at this point,” a Williams spokesman told us in September.

The Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat believes Hispania Racing (HRT), the back-of-the-grid Spanish team, has been in talks with Williams about the systems.

Lotus will use Red Bull gearboxes and hydraulic systems from the 2011 season, the new Malaysian-backed team announced on Tuesday morning.

It is expected the team, to be called Team Lotus next season, will also shortly announce an agreement to use Renault’s customer engine in 2011.

The news will mean Lotus and Red Bull will use the same engine/gearbox/hydraulics package in formula one, which according to team boss Tony Fernandes is a “real statement of our intention”.

A media statement said the deal is for 2011 “and beyond”.

Lotus has expressed misgivings with its Xtrac gearbox and hydraulics during its debut season this year, and has already terminated its engine contract with Cosworth.

“This deal gives our design and aero teams a very exciting platform to work with,” said technical boss Mike Gascoyne.

It is the first time Red Bull has supplied a gearbox to a customer team.

“The fact that Red Bull Technology has been chosen to be a supplier to another team despite its short history demonstrates how much we have achieved since our first season,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

Rival teams could be equipped with hydraulic systems and gearboxes supplied by Williams in 2011, a spokesman has confirmed.

We reported this week that the famous British team has been earmarked as a potential alternative supplier of hydraulics systems for the sport’s three new teams.

This year, new entrants Lotus, Virgin and HRT have been using the problematic FIA-arranged standard hydraulics system supplied by Xtrac.

It is believed Lotus is close to sourcing a supply of Renault technical support for next year, and reports indicated Williams could be an alternative for other teams.

A spokesman for the independent Grove based team indicated on Tuesday that Williams’ gearbox may also be supplied to customer teams.

“We’ve had enquiries for our hydraulics and gearbox, we’re open to supplying it, but nothing has been agreed at this point,” he said.