DECEMBER 19, 2011

Interview: Luis Perez-Sala

A question and answer with HRT's new Team Principal Luis Perez-Sala.

A question and answer with HRT's new Team Principal Luis Perez-Sala:

Q: You arrived at HRT in July as a sporting adviser. What are your feelings about taking on the team principal role?

The owners of HRT offered me the opportunity of advising them and it felt an interesting challenge. It is a great honour for me that the new owners have placed their trust in me to take on the bigger responsibility. It is an important challenge to be at the head of the team, even though it is a small one, and build a project that will be viable in the future and that we can all feel proud of. I will try to contribute my experience so that the goals we've set ourselves become a reality, never forgetting to be humble and knowing that we have a lot to learn and much work to do.

Q: You raced for Minardi, a small team. How has F1 changed since then?

I have very good memories of my experience with Minardi. Since then, Formula 1 has evolved a lot, mainly technologically in aspects such as aerodynamics and electronics. Back then, it was already very professional but now the teams have considerably enlarged their structures and it's all a lot more sophisticated. And there are still a lot of people from back then working in F1.

Q: How do you think the F1 world and the public perceive these changes?

We're a small team and sometimes it's hard to realise what that entails. Still, especially on a national level, I think people perceive positively the change in direction that the team has been taking these last few months. Little by little people are starting to trust us. Internationally there are still perhaps some doubts with respect to what will happen, but those doubts can only be cleared with time. With every grand prix people will see how dedicated we are.

Q: HRT is undergoing a profound restructuring. What is the path now?

As of now our main objective is to consolidate the structure of our team. We still have to bring in people and determine important roles but that's normal and we are ready for it. From there, we can begin to grow and build a future.

Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the team?

Right now the main strength of the team is the people that make it up. There is a good group of professionals, with a lot of desire and willpower and faith in the project. This is very important because the sacrifices that are being made and that will have to be made, are big ones. The major weakness is that the team is still going through a process of change and we are in December and Formula 1 doesn't stop. This is a competition where the deadlines are established and where you're being examined publicly, officially and permanently. That is the main inconvenience for us at this time of restructuring. But one thing is for sure: we will work with maximum effort.

Q: What are HRT's goals in the short, medium and long term?

In the short term the main objective is to consolidate the project and create a strong team in Spain that works, with the technical area in Munich. And of course to have the 2012 car ready for the start of the season to be able to take part in the first race and all the pre-season tests that we can. In the medium term we intend to improve the car and get closer to our rivals than last year, what are our strengths and weaknesses and working to improve at every grand prix. In the long run, with a better car and a solid structure, we will think about the strategy for 2013 and, above all, 2014, when there will be major changes to regulations.

Q: How will the changes affect the team at the start of the season?

The task ahead of us, with the design of the car and change of HQ, is huge. In this respect, HRT is a little bit behind other teams. We will feel the effects of this transformation the team is going through and will have "pay" for it at the start of the season. We're not going to be at the same level as when we finished this past season, where the same team had been running for two years, but we're aware of that. We're taking a step back so that we can take two forward. 2012 will be an important year for us to settle and face a more natural and stable situation in 2013.

Q: Pedro de la Rosa said that one of the main reasons for him to join this project was yourself and Saºl Ruiz de Marcos. How do you assess that?

It makes me very happy that Pedro has trusted so much in us and I hope that we can return his trust with results. As our relationship grows I hope that he feels proud to have made this decision".

Q: At what stage are you regarding the second driver?

We are in advanced talks with several drivers but we can't anticipate anything yet. It's a decision we surely won't make until the start of next year because it's the least urgent thing right now.

Q: The other question is where the team's base will be?

Right now we are working at a provisional base in Valencia until the location of the permanent headquarters is defined. There a few strong options but nothing is decided yet.