Grand Prix Rejects

Peter wrote:

cbbcisace wrote:I worry a lot about Narain, 1.8s behind Pedro even when they both set the laps on the same tyres.

It may be different programs. They've been trying to split the work between themselves, so Narain may be running longer runs.

So it seems - come qualifying, Narain is effectively 0.4s behind De La Rosa, whilst De La Rosa has gone one better and split the two Marussia drivers (0.02s ahead of Glock and 0.2s behind Pic). Whether or not De La Rosa can sustain that form in the race is another matter, but at least it looks like he is beginning to find some speed in the car - his Q1 time was about 4.3% off Perez's fastest time, and within 6% of Vettel's pole lap (which, considering the rapid evolution in track conditions, is a pretty solid result).

I feel today's HRT result is more down to Marussia having some problems during qualifying than anything else. Still, it's another good effort from them.

go go pedro!

Another race, another 2 car finish.

The next race is Spain. Lets see if they have extra sponsors/decals on board, cause they definetly have the room on the car.

It will also see how much coverage they get, considering they now feel more Spainish then they have had in the past.

Also, a new aero package is expected for Mugello test so be interesting how it goes (but so will every other team)

HRT missing mugello test, apparently the new upgrades won't be ready until Barcelona anyway and they want to concentrate on moving factory.
Rather beggining to doubt they'll end up running KERS this year...

On a brighter note, possibly more sponsorship coming from Narain...
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-04-21/news/31378964_1_brand-ambassador-incredible-india-brand-india

Cheers

slowest_indian wrote:HRT missing mugello test, apparently the new upgrades won't be ready until Barcelona anyway and they want to concentrate on moving factory.
Rather beggining to doubt they'll end up running KERS this year...

On a brighter note, possibly more sponsorship coming from Narain...
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-04-21/news/31378964_1_brand-ambassador-incredible-india-brand-india

Cheers

When I first read the link, I assumed that the link was going to come from the Hindustan Ambassador...

the day hrt make a test in season or pre season we will know that it is progress being made until then its a case of go go go pedro

East Londoner wrote:An optimistic view from De La Rosa

I don't quite understand this seen as they've got no upgrades planned, therefore no improvement and an even bigger gap to Marussia. That's like missing half of a school year and claiming it'll help you in your exams

pasta, 1 point I would like to make Marussia, won't have their BIG upgrade until BCN like HRT.


I agree missing on Mugello is not the best thing to do but moving to Caja Magica was not suppose to happen until August when the break is on, so they have decided to do it now for some reason....

pasta_maldonado wrote:

East Londoner wrote:An optimistic view from De La Rosa

I don't quite understand this seen as they've got no upgrades planned, therefore no improvement and an even bigger gap to Marussia. That's like missing half of a school year and claiming it'll help you in your exams

They do have big upgrades planned ,but they weren't able to get them on the car for the Mugello tests. The earliest they will have them are in Spain. KERS is supposed to be one of those updates, but it was supposed to be tested in Mugello, which they now won't be at. Not sure what the plans are for that then. It may become a part of the car for Silverstone,though, since teams tend to also bring significant updates to Silverstone.

cbbcisace wrote:pasta, 1 point I would like to make Marussia, won't have their BIG upgrade until BCN like HRT.

Not strictly true, Marussia are currently evaluating the package they will be taking to Barcelona now at Mugello, though I suspect there will be some changes to what we actually see on the cars for the race.

Peter wrote:

pasta_maldonado wrote:They do have big upgrades planned ,but they weren't able to get them on the car for the Mugello tests. The earliest they will have them are in Spain. KERS is supposed to be one of those updates, but it was supposed to be tested in Mugello, which they now won't be at. Not sure what the plans are for that then. It may become a part of the car for Silverstone,though, since teams tend to also bring significant updates to Silverstone.

Would make sense, they can run proper testing of it at the Young Driver Test after the race. If they were a bigger team I would get in a technically young driver who has lots of testing miles under his belt in to test the updates (like James Rossiter or someone), but they'll have to rely on Clos and Hua's feedback.

Are HRT the only team not at Mugello? Seems a big risk if you ask me. They can't really afford to fall further behind the pack.

AdrianSutil wrote:Are HRT the only team not at Mugello? Seems a big risk if you ask me. They can't really afford to fall further behind the pack.

Yes and no - whilst some drivers have been racking up substantial mileage today (Schumacher did 144 laps, whilst Massa also broke the 100 lap marker), some of the other teams have struggled, with Force India and Marussia both hitting mechanical problems and McLaren didn't do a great number of laps either. Added to that, it is worth noting that the other teams have effectively lost a day of testing anyway given the severe weather yesterday, which does partially offset HRT's decision not to test.
OK, overall I would argue that it would have been better to have carried out this test than not, particularly if they want to bring upgraded parts for the next race: as it happens, though, circumstances have probably lessened the blow somewhat.

mario wrote:

AdrianSutil wrote:Are HRT the only team not at Mugello? Seems a big risk if you ask me. They can't really afford to fall further behind the pack.

Yes and no - whilst some drivers have been racking up substantial mileage today (Schumacher did 144 laps, whilst Massa also broke the 100 lap marker), some of the other teams have struggled, with Force India and Marussia both hitting mechanical problems and McLaren didn't do a great number of laps either. Added to that, it is worth noting that the other teams have effectively lost a day of testing anyway given the severe weather yesterday, which does partially offset HRT's decision not to test.
OK, overall I would argue that it would have been better to have carried out this test than not, particularly if they want to bring upgraded parts for the next race: as it happens, though, circumstances have probably lessened the blow somewhat.

Yeah the weather has helped somewhat with the limited running. It just surprises me that HRT have missed this test, especially after being fairly vocal about all these updates they (may not) actually have. I'd be surprised if said updates are in the car before Silverstone, KERS included. Just seems like HRT are really struggling to do anything outside a race weekend to their car.

AdrianSutil wrote:

mario wrote:

AdrianSutil wrote:Are HRT the only team not at Mugello? Seems a big risk if you ask me. They can't really afford to fall further behind the pack.

Yes and no - whilst some drivers have been racking up substantial mileage today (Schumacher did 144 laps, whilst Massa also broke the 100 lap marker), some of the other teams have struggled, with Force India and Marussia both hitting mechanical problems and McLaren didn't do a great number of laps either. Added to that, it is worth noting that the other teams have effectively lost a day of testing anyway given the severe weather yesterday, which does partially offset HRT's decision not to test.
OK, overall I would argue that it would have been better to have carried out this test than not, particularly if they want to bring upgraded parts for the next race: as it happens, though, circumstances have probably lessened the blow somewhat.

Yeah the weather has helped somewhat with the limited running. It just surprises me that HRT have missed this test, especially after being fairly vocal about all these updates they (may not) actually have. I'd be surprised if said updates are in the car before Silverstone, KERS included. Just seems like HRT are really struggling to do anything outside a race weekend to their car.

They did have small updates for Bahrain IIRC which helped improve the cooling of the car, which was a big issue. At least, I think as such...

It's probably best they get the move done now, rather than later though.

They did. All I could see with their pics was a huge exhaust opening for cooling. Thats what I could see.

But although they have been off the pace, I dont think they have recorded a DNF (correct me if im wrong) so thats a positive.

Any more rumours of that potential sponsor for Spain???

Isnt Spain officially in a recession?

Pizza Hut?

David AGS wrote:They did. All I could see with their pics was a huge exhaust opening for cooling. Thats what I could see.

But although they have been off the pace, I dont think they have recorded a DNF (correct me if im wrong) so thats a positive.

Any more rumours of that potential sponsor for Spain???

Isnt Spain officially in a recession?

Pizza Hut?

Recession? Mate, if the media are to be believed, the excrement's broken the bloody fan

Wizzie wrote:

David AGS wrote:They did. All I could see with their pics was a huge exhaust opening for cooling. Thats what I could see.

But although they have been off the pace, I dont think they have recorded a DNF (correct me if im wrong) so thats a positive.

Any more rumours of that potential sponsor for Spain???

Isnt Spain officially in a recession?

Pizza Hut?

Recession? Mate, if the media are to be believed, the excrement's broken the bloody fan

If their unemployment rate keeps rising like this, it is not long before 1% of the employed population works for HRT.

Well, that's nothing new in Spain. Our real unemployment rate is not much more than half that amount. Consider that, five years ago, when absolutely everyone had a job absolutely everywhere in the country, so much that we were bringing people from outside Spain by the millions, and we were in The Mother Of All The Bubbles, our unemployment rate briefly fell under... 8%. Out of our 5-6 million unemployed, 2 million were already there when the crisis began: most of them weren't really unemployed, but working in the shadow economy, officially but not really out of job.

I would put Spain's real unemployment rate between 15-20%, which is already a bathplugging disaster -but not as dreadful as it officially is. This "shadow economy" exists in other countries as well, but I don't think it's so big because, well, we still haven't beaten our worst record in modern times: 1994 saw unemployment briefly pick at just under 25%. But neither then nor now we have the revolts you would expect if things really were that bad. Another indicator is that our GDP has not fallen as much as you would expect, and while data manipulation might have a part on that it can't fully explain it.

All of this having been said, I'm seriously starting to look for a job outside Spain. I know I will have to do it, sooner rather than later, so there's no point in waiting any longer.

Ferrim wrote:Well, that's nothing new in Spain. Our real unemployment rate is not much more than half that amount. Consider that, five years ago, when absolutely everyone had a job absolutely everywhere in the country, so much that we were bringing people from outside Spain by the millions, and we were in The Mother Of All The Bubbles, our unemployment rate briefly fell under... 8%. Out of our 5-6 million unemployed, 2 million were already there when the crisis began: most of them weren't really unemployed, but working in the shadow economy, officially but not really out of job.

I would put Spain's real unemployment rate between 15-20%, which is already a bathplugging disaster -but not as dreadful as it officially is. This "shadow economy" exists in other countries as well, but I don't think it's so big because, well, we still haven't beaten our worst record in modern times: 1994 saw unemployment briefly pick at just under 25%. But neither then nor now we have the revolts you would expect if things really were that bad. Another indicator is that our GDP has not fallen as much as you would expect, and while data manipulation might have a part on that it can't fully explain it.

All of this having been said, I'm seriously starting to look for a job outside Spain. I know I will have to do it, sooner rather than later, so there's no point in waiting any longer.

Yes Spain's economy really isn't that bad if you put all factors into perspective. UK's Dept to GDP and dept per person is much higher then Spain's, its only that Spain has a lower credit rating so Spain has to pay higher interest of their depts and this benefits creditors who are probably the same people that love spreading doom and gloom. Economies reach a stage where things can't get worse because life goes on and people don't stop eating and living. Unlike Greece, Spain has a huge industrial sector on top of tourism, agriculture and banking. Spain has seen much worse times its people just like speculating the European recessions are just driven by greed. Things will improve in the UK and Europe.

According to the BBC Ireland has the worst dept
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15748696

xxiiooiixx wrote:According to the BBC Ireland has the worst dept
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15748696

Well at least we win at something.

New sponsors, all though not officially announced are Cristalbox, Kyocera and Carbonell.

cbbcisace wrote:New sponsors, all though not officially announced are Cristalbox, Kyocera and Carbonell.

Kyocera? Did they hire Nigel Stepney without telling anymore?

It be a good move

cbbcisace wrote:New sponsors, all though not officially announced are Cristalbox, Kyocera and Carbonell.

Being Canadian, I have no idea what these companies do. Could you fill me in on that?

RealRacingRoots wrote:

cbbcisace wrote:New sponsors, all though not officially announced are Cristalbox, Kyocera and Carbonell.

Being Canadian, I have no idea what these companies do. Could you fill me in on that?

Cristalbox appears to be some form of car repair/recovery firm,

Kyocera is a Japanese-based multinational manufacturer of a variety of different products,

and Carbonell, well that looks like olive oil to me! Maybe they've found a new 'green' fuel supplier?

RealRacingRoots wrote:

cbbcisace wrote:New sponsors, all though not officially announced are Cristalbox, Kyocera and Carbonell.

Being Canadian, I have no idea what these companies do. Could you fill me in on that?

I don't know the other two, by Kyocera is a Japanese electronics company. From a retail perspective they're best known for printers and the like, but they have some industrial business interests I have no idea about. They're a conglomerate, essentially.

RealRacingRoots wrote:

cbbcisace wrote:New sponsors, all though not officially announced are Cristalbox, Kyocera and Carbonell.

Being Canadian, I have no idea what these companies do. Could you fill me in on that?

I'm sure you get Kyocera printers in Canada and also Carbonell Olive oil a big Spanish brand?
Apparently Cristalbox is a winsdscreen company like Autoglass

Kyocera? I'm sure I've seen the name on cars in the past. Probably someone like Inoue, Noda or any other Japanese pay-driver.

Still, that'll hopefully fill some of those empty spaces on the cars. Shame really, all the teams' cars would look fantastic without logos slapped everywhere. Well, maybe not the F2012

Whatever sponsors they get it will all be valuable!

There is also some good pictures on thier facebook page, about the Magical Box, which is their factory in Madrid. Todt was visiting the factory, and their are a few pics with him in it, alongside with all team members

Yes and Todt was very very happy with the new facilities.

Interesting note also, a lot of people thought the F112 chassis where the F111 reborn - those pictures prove them wrong.

Also interesting that the F112 has no Engine Cover/FW/Floor on show, are those the new aero upgrades for Barcelona?

cbbcisace wrote:Yes and Todt was very very happy with the new facilities.

Interesting note also, a lot of people thought the F112 chassis where the F111 reborn - those pictures prove them wrong.

Also interesting that the F112 has no Engine Cover/FW/Floor on show, are those the new aero upgrades for Barcelona?

Correct, as the F111 (F110 some may say!) is also present, beside the F112.

They may be still building/working on their new aero pack, well lets hope so!

Also, good to see their sponsor KH-7 giving away tickets for the race

cbbcisace wrote:Also interesting that the F112 has no Engine Cover/FW/Floor on show, are those the new aero upgrades for Barcelona?

Hopefully so, upgrades or not they do atleast seem to have put giant numbers on the side of them...
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=393563837355603&set=a.393563184022335.96415.222454411133214&type=3&l=0a4bb7338f&theater

Good news about the sponsors too, glad it wasn't just a rumour this time.

Could that be a side pod turned around?

cbbcisace wrote:Could that be a side pod turned around?

It looks like the sidepods and part of the engine cover are visible in the background, albeit on their sides. However, from that angle it is hard to see if there are any changes (you can only really see the top of the sidepods, and any changes are more likely to be to the shape of the undercut beneath), so I guess we'll have to wait until the practise sessions to see if they have made any modifications.
Still, it is good to hear that HRT are finding more sponsors, and the fact that they have been able to secure a non Spanish sponsor indicates that perhaps they are building up their profile internationally. At the very least, it'll give the team a decent financial boost - I wonder whether it might be enough for the team to start running KERS later in the year?

I was thinking the Young Drivers test at Silverstone could be a good place, using Clos to test.

Rumours also that Dani could be in at BCN FP1.

cbbcisace wrote:I was thinking the Young Drivers test at Silverstone could be a good place, using Clos to test.

Rumours also that Dani could be in at BCN FP1.

For some reason I thought of former GP2 team BCN Competition.