F1: HRT Struggling To Make Australian GP

Formula 1

F1: HRT Struggling To Make Australian GP

Pedro de la Rosa didn't complete a lap in either of Friday's two practices in Melbourne...

Associated Press | Posted March 16, 2012 Melbourne (AUS)

Pedro de la Rosa joined HRT during the off-season. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

The HRT Formula One team has conceded it is unlikely to take part in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, after a practice day Friday that lived down to expectations.

With cars still being pieced together, Pedro de la Rosa did not complete a lap in either of Friday's 90-minute practice sessions, while teammate Narain Karthikeyan drove several laps in the second session for a best time that was still 13.5 seconds off the pace.

Unless there is a rapid improvement overnight, the team is unlikely to get within seven percent of the best qualifying time — the standard to make it into Sunday's race.

HRT took no part in preseason testing due to late preparations following a change in management and team principal Luis Perez Sala on Friday acknowledged "it will be difficult" to get either car into the race.

"For us it was a success to be here in Melbourne," Sala said. "It will be difficult for us. I am not thinking about the speed of the cars, we are trying to fit all the things to make do."

Melbourne will act as a form of delayed preseason testing for HRT, and only in the second race in Malaysia or third in China will thoughts turn to improving performance.

"For us here in Melbourne, its a place where we can take some information on the cars and go forward to the next race."

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