HRT’s 2012 car debut has been delayed after it failed two mandatory crash tests, a team spokesperson has confirmed.
The F112, which had been expected to make an appearance at the second pre-season test in Barcelona in under a fortnights time, will now run at the final test only.
A regulation change for the new season means that all FIA crash tests must now be passed prior to the car making its on-track debut. It’s believed HRT has failed three tests out of the 17 required.
The team must now return to the drawing board to strengthen key areas, believed to be the nose and roll-hoop, in order to pass the tests before mid-February.
The team, which has been running its 2011 car in Jerez, will join Marussia in debuting its car at the final test.
