Senna: Finances hurting HRT development
Bruno Senna admits his Hispania's team financial difficulties have been hitting the Spanish squad's plans to develop its car
The team made its Formula 1 debut this year without any testing whatsoever after months of uncertainty over its future, which was finally secured by Spanish businessman Jose Ramon Carabante.
The lack of resources, however, has meant that HRT has hardly been able to develop its car during the season.
"I think the financial restrictions cause more difficulties in terms of development of the car, it's the most disturbing aspect," Senna told Brazilian media. "The team has conditions to run until the end of the year.
"But it's not like Red Bull, which can test big things on the weekends. We have new things less often, and in Formula 1 one has to constantly develop in order to remain competitive."
The Brazilian also believes it is hard for small Formula 1 teams to survive in the sport in the current financial situation.
"Few of the current teams have guarantees of being there next year without having doubts," he said. "This moment in Formula 1 is not easy.
"Although I would love to say the team will be there next year, I think Hispania and other teams can have the same answer "it's not that easy". But I reckon they are planning of course, but that planning it's not my job but theirs."
Senna admitted the team's situation changed from when he signed his contract until the start of the season.
"We knew it would be a risk to enter into a new team," he said. "But essentially it changed between when we signed and the start of the season. We made a firm contract and we could not predict what lied ahead."
He added: "We had a big learning process. We started the year without testing. We have been working and making the most of the car. We had small updates to the car like the fuel tank, electronics... Every weekend we're getting new things [from the car]."
The Brazilian said the team was in talks with Toyota over the use of parts from its F1 car, but conceded the situation was also complicated.
"There are talks with Toyota, but it's not easy to know how things stand. Hispania needs FIA homologation to use those parts. Things are a bit more complicated."
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