HRT have confirmed that they will skip the upcoming in-season test in Mugello next week, as they look to concentrate on moving into their new premises.
A team statement said after ‘careful consideration’, they believe the time would be better spent on relocating to its new base in Madrid whilst development of its F112 would continue.
“With the first four overseas Grands Prix completed, the cars return to Europe for the first time since they left for the inaugural event and the team is now completely focused on relocating to its new headquarters at the Caja Mágica, in Madrid.
“The importance of this relocation, added to the fact that the upgrade package for the F112 is programmed for the Spanish Grand Prix (11th-13th May), means that the team prefers to focus its efforts and resources on the new headquarters, work on the car and properly preparing for the Spanish Grand Prix.”
Team principal, Luis Pérez-Sala, said: “The start to the season was a little bit rushed for us and, since the cars were set up for the first time, we have been working on them at the Grands Prix. The team and the material have just got back from Bahrain after leaving for Australia in early March. And they return, for the first time, to the team’s new headquarters at the Caja Mágica in Madrid.
“This move is very important for us and by not going to Mugello we can work thoroughly on the car to prepare for the Spanish Grand Prix. We won’t have the new upgrade package until then so we’ve preferred to focus on what can contribute more to us, which is teamwork at the headquarters. And there is a lot to do.”
