HRT F1 team says it is not ready to rejoin FOTA yet

The Spain-based outfit quit FOTA at the beginning of 2010, when then team principal Colin Kolles grew frustrated with the organisation and the costs of its membership.

Perez-Sala's role in Barcelona this week was the first time an HRT representative had appeared at a FOTA event since then, but he insisted that it is not yet certain the outfit will move back under the organisation's umbrella.

When asked by AUTOSPORT if HRT had plans now to rejoin FOTA, Perez-Sala said: "No. We have many things in common with FOTA, but at the moment there is not any change."

Perez-Sala does believe that events like the Fans' Forum were valuable for both teams and spectators - and especially valuable in the build-up to the season.

"I think it is nice to be with the fans, and to be close to them because maybe Formula 1 is a small closed world, and with these events you can be open more," he explained.

"Plus maybe it is better at the beginning of the year because everyone is more relaxed and the heat of competition has not started yet."