HRT aims to run new car in Bahrain test

The team said on Tuesday that it will start winter testing with last year's car, with the hope that it can have its new challenger ready for the Bahrain test on 3 March, ten days ahead of the start of the season there.

"The 2010 car will be utilized at the first tests, and as soon as the 2011 car is ready, we will implement it," said team boss Colin Kolles.

"The plan is to use the 2011 car at the Bahrain test. The 2011 car will be a completely new car, and will be called F111."

Kolles said the car is being designed by his own team together with "several groups of engineers".

"At the moment, there are approximately 40 designers finalizing the first spec, under the leadership of Geoff Willis as Technical Director and Paul White as Chief Designer," he said.

Hispania was unable to do any testing ahead of its racing debut last year, its car running for the first time in the opening practice session in Bahrain.

Kolles said that even though the team is running with the old car, the first tests of the year will be important.

"Last year we didn't have the opportunity to do the tests, and this new season we are able to give our drivers the opportunity to do more millage and to get used to the Pirelli tyres. So, yes, the Spanish tests are very important for us."

Kolles said the team is yet to decide on who will partner Narain Karthikeyan this year, but claimed there will "several announcements" from Hispania over the new weeks.

"In the next few days there will be several announcements. The second driver has not been decided yet, because we have to make sure that we are making the best choice. We are making progress in all areas which is positive, working very hard, and the results will be shown and be announced very soon."