HRT is interested in moving into Toyota’s F1 headquarters in Cologne, and is also eyeing the departed Japanese teams’ 2010 car, according to reports.

Spain’s sports newspaper Marca said the Spanish team’s owner Jose Ramon Carabante has already visited the German site on two occasions.

Italiaracing, meanwhile, reports that the Hispania team is also interested in taking over Toyota’s unraced 2010 chassis, the TF110.

The news follows HRT’s confirmation that it has split with its existing chassis maker Dallara.

But the move to buy the Cologne facility would be at odds with HRT’s earlier plans to set up a long-term base in the Spanish region of Murcia, a team sponsor.

The reports could therefore trigger speculation that Carabante is looking to sell the team, even though on Thursday HRT revealed the identity of its new board.

“This shows how (the team) is strongly trying to keep on growing day by day in order to develop to a more strong, lasting and competitive team in formula one,” read a statement.

(GMM)

Jarno Trulli is this weekend bidding to maintain a perfect qualifying record on the streets of Monaco.

Since his first visit to the Principality as a formula one driver in 1997, the 35-year-old Italian has never been outqualified by the occupant of the sister car.

His conquests include Ukyo Katayama, Olivier Panis, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Ralf Schumacher and Timo Glock.

His Lotus teammate in 2010 is Heikki Kovalainen, who has so far outqualified 2004 Monaco winner Trulli on two occasions.

Finn Kovalainen told Turun Sanomat: “I will just concentrate on my own performance.”

(GMM)

May 3 (GMM)  Christian Klien has begun working with a new manager.

The former formula one driver is Peugeot’s Le Mans reserve this year, after a career spanning 48 grands prix and recent stints as test driver with departed Honda and BMW.

Austrian Klien, 27, wanted to return to the grid in 2010, and was previously managed by his father Johannes.

“Already last year it became obvious that talent and speed are by far not a guarantee for a permanent race seat in the current economic climate,” said the former Red Bull and Jaguar racer.

It is believed Klien was in the running for the HRT ‘Friday’ driver role that instead has been secured by Sakon Yamamoto.

“On two occasions I missed out on a contract literally last minute because other drivers had a more attractive sponsor package to offer,” said Klien.

He did not confirm reports that he was among the drivers considered by hopeful Serbian team Stefan GP.

“In formula one you normally do not talk about unlaid eggs.  It may always weaken somebody’s position in ongoing negotiations,” insisted Klien.

“I would like to ask for everybody’s understanding that I refuse to comment on anything the rumour mill spits out.  As a matter of fact we are in talks with several teams on a regular basis,” he added.

Klien’s new manager is German 28-year-old Roman Rummenigge, of the Rummenigge Sport Marketing company.