HRT hopes small updates allow the team to take another step forward in China

The Spanish squad failed to qualify for the season-opening race in Australia, but then put on a respectable showing in Malaysia, where it qualified and finished the race with both cars.

Team boss Luiz Perez-Sala is confident that the three-week break between the Sepang and Shanghai races has given HRT the opportunity to arrive better prepared for China.

Perez-Sala said that extracting the best from the car remains the main goal for the weekend.

"The start to the season was very complicated because we were behind schedule with regards to the other teams," said Perez-Sala. "We had to put in a colossal effort to be able to get on track in Australia and improve our performance just one week later in Malaysia.

"There's still plenty to do and many areas to improve on to be where we should be but at least in these two weeks we've had a bit more time to analyse data, prepare and recharge batteries, therefore I'm confident that we're arriving in China in a much better situation.

"We mustn't forget that the F112 is only taking its first steps and, as of today, what we must do is progress without stopping.

"In Shanghai we'll have some small updates to optimise cooling and aerodynamics, and the target for this weekend is to check that these adjustments work. To sum up, we have to get more out of the car but must also improve on teamwork and coordination."