Transportes Azkar S.A., an international integrated logistics operator with its headquarters in Spain, and HRT Formula 1 Team have signed a collaboration agreement for the renowned logistics operator to become a collaborator of the renewed team, joining as an Official Supplier for the 2012 season.

With a fleet of three trucks that cover more than 16,000 kilometres on the road to European Grands Prix and that transfer cars and material to the airport, HRT F1 Team’s transport needs are very demanding. Therefore, having a first class national partner, such as Azkar, was a fundamental objective.

Alfonso Hostaled, Azkar CEO: “At Azkar we back sports and national companies that wish to open up overseas and that is why HRT’s project as a Spanish team fits in perfectly with our market strategy. Azkar puts at the disposal of HRT logistics services that meet the challenging demands of Formula 1. On another note, through this association, we look to bring our clients closer to this thrilling sport”.

Luis Pérez-Sala, Team Principal HRT F1 Team: “As a part of the team’s renovation process, we are working on many fronts, all of them being important. There are many aspects besides the car and staff, such as telecommunications and logistics, which are vital for a team to function properly in such a demanding world as is Formula 1. We want to count with first class national partners for this. Azkar is the standout logistics operator and we are very proud to have them as collaborators. In a paddock which is crammed with German and English trucks, to find Spanish trucks aswell is proof that there are national companies with the same capacity as any other company to perform at this demanding level”.

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ABOUT AZKAR

AZKAR puts at the disposal of its clients a potent international network for the management of importing and exporting goods, from and to any part of the world. Specifically, in the Iberian peninsula and islands, the company has 87 facilities, with more than 500,000m² built over more than 1 million m²of terrain, a team made up of 5,000 professionals and a fleet of 2,700 trucks.

via: HRT

The latest spat between Bernie Ecclestone and the F1 teams’ association is set to break out.
Spain’s Diario Sport newspaper reports that FOTA, headed by McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh, believes the F1 chief executive has breached the Concorde Agreement in devising the arduous 20-race calendar for 2012.

The report said FOTA vice-chairman Eric Boullier confirmed the potential disagreement in the Singapore paddock.

Diario Sport said the teams believe they have the right to renegotiate the commercial terms if Ecclestone moves beyond the maximum 17 grands prix per season.

The confidential agreement reportedly also refers to the number of races that can take place outside of Europe, with the teams concerned about the additional costs of the ‘flyaway’ events.

“We would suggest a couple of ideas and, above all, we intend to request a reconsideration of the logistics,” said Boullier.

Ecclestone reacted: “The teams don’t do the calendar, I do. They can’t come now with their proposals. It’s my decision so if someone is going to do something, it’s me.

“If someone isn’t happy they can go to the police. Wouldn’t the real problem be if there were no races to go to?” he added defiantly.

Pedro de la Rosa has received a EUR 8 to 10 million price-tag for a 2011 race seat with the Spanish team HRT.

It was believed the veteran driver was set to join the team next year thanks to the investment of Juan Villalonga, while an attractive Toyota-designed car with a Williams gearbox was in the making.

But the Toyota deal has fallen through due to reportedly late payments, leaving not enough time for Hispania to separately build a new car for 2011.

And team owner Jose Ramon Carabante has now admitted that HRT will again be relying on pay-drivers.

“Pedro wants to come, but it depends very much on the support.  Without money, there is no place for him.  We can’t allow ourselves a luxury like that.

“He needs to contribute about eight or ten million.  We have spoken with companies to try to attract sponsors, and we would like to have two Spanish drivers for our identity and someone like Pedro who can give us some direction for 2012,” Carabante said on Cadena Ser radio.

He confirmed that HRT is currently in a “crucial week, deciding the future of the team”.

“A budget needs to be above 120 or 130 million euros.  With that we will achieve a leap into the top ten.

“This year we had 45 (million) and next year it will be 55 and we would like 65 at least.  Ferrari for example is in 400 million each season.”

Carabante said even the location of HRT’s headquarters for 2011 is not decided.

“We have offers from Madrid and Barcelona.  For the logistics we would like to be in the centre of Europe,” he added.

Reigning world champion Jenson Button has split with his girlfriend Jessica Michibata.

British daily tabloid The Sun said the 30-year-old decided to call time on their 18-month relationship shortly after the recent Monaco grand prix.

Japanese fashion model Michibata, 25, lives in Tokyo, and a friend of Monaco-domiciled Button is quoted as saying the “logistics” of the relationship “took their toll”.

“Just over a week ago Jenson reluctantly decided that his racing must be his main priority,” the source added.

A spokesman for Button confirmed: “Jenson is single again.  He and Jessica have gone their separate ways.”

On Wednesday in Monaco, Mercedes confirmed that it has concluded a sponsorship deal with Deutsche Post.

We reported in March that the German logistics giant, who through its subsidiary DHL is already an official partner of the world championship itself, is in talks about backing the Brackley based team.

It was rumoured that the deal could be ready to debut in Spain last weekend, but in fact the logos will be added to the livery and front wing of the grey W01 car in Monaco.

“The team has been very successful in attracting new partners over the past months and Deutsche Post is a very welcome addition,” said team chief executive Nick Fry.

(GMM)

Ferrari ‘scuderia’ is preparing for this season’s second session of tests scheduled for the 10th to the 13th of February at the Spanish circuit of Jerez de la Frontera. Tomorrow morning, the main part of the team will leave Maranello, including the mechanics and the men who work in logistics, telemetry and electronics, while the engineers will get to Spain Tuesday evening.
Four days of tests: Fernando Alonso will begin the shakedowns in the racetrack the first two days, followed by Felipe Massa who will sit behind the steering wheel as of Friday 12th. The F10 has arrived to Jerez subsequent to the examination realized last Wednesday evening in Valencia. The car’s configuration will be substantially the same, compared to its debut: there will only be some minor mechanical changes.
Meanwhile, in Maranello, the works to mount the chassis to the second F10 are well on their way. This single-seater will be used during the third test session, held again at Jerez, from February 17th to the 20th.