HRT denies Caterham rumour and insists it will build its own 2012 Formula 1 car

The team initially used a Dallara supplied car as the basis of its Formula 1 machine, but says that its third grand prix contender will be built entirely in-house.

"After the recent information appearing lately in the media, HRT F1 Team is obliged to deny that Caterham Technology and Innovation, a subsidiary company of Caterham F1, will be in charge of the design and fabrication of the F112's monocoque," said an HRT statement.

"Contrary to what has been published, the development of the car that HRT F1 Team will compete with in next year's Formula 1 World Championship is being carried out at the team's technical office in Munich by a team of designers under the technical supervision of Jacky Eeckelaert and chief aerodynamicist Stephan Chosse."

The team is also adamant that it will have no difficulty making it to pre-season testing this time, having not run prior to the opening race in its first two F1 seasons.

"Despite the tight deadlines and a rule change for 2012 meaning that crash tests and chassis homologation procedures must be completed before any cars can test, the team is confident that the new car will be ready for preseason testing in February."

HRT has announced veteran Pedro de la Rosa as its first driver for 2012 but has yet to reveal the identity of the Spaniard's team-mate.