DECEMBER 15, 2011

Luis Sala is new HRT team principal

Luis Perez-Sala has taken over from Colin Kolles as HRT team principal as the team pursues its new all-Spanish flavour with a home base and Pedro de la Rosa confirmed for 2012.

Luis Perez-Sala has taken over from Colin Kolles as HRT team principal as the team pursues its new all-Spanish flavour with a home base and Pedro de la Rosa confirmed for 2012.

There is now considerable speculation that with Red Bull choosing Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne at Toro Rosso next year, the deposed Jaime Alguersuari is a natural fit to complete an all-Spanish driver line-up at HRT, possibly with some Red Bull funding.

Sal Ruiz de Marcos, the team's CEO, said: "From the moment we took control last July, the first thing we did was to study and value where we were, whilst also setting ourselves a target and establishing a strategy. We have been working discretely but relentlessly towards this for the last few months.

"We've always made it clear that our priorities were the car, the headquarters and our drivers. The car is evolving, Pedro has been a great asset to the team and we have always wanted to settle the team in Spain and have everybody working under one roof.

"Since we began working with Luis (as an advisor) our connection has been great. Now he takes on a much more key role in the team but the decision was an easy one given his knowledge and his way of doing things. It is the best decision we could make. I would like to also thank Colin (Kolles) and Manfredi (Ravetto) for their work and dedication in these two years that the team has existed and I wish them the very best for the future."

The 52-year-old Sala, who finished sixth in the 1989 British GP with Minardi, said: "This is an honour but also a great responsibility. We mustn't lose our perspective and must be aware that assuming responsibilities such as designing the car or moving the HQ to Spain are huge tasks and we still have a lot of work ahead.

"We must be patient and keep in mind that we cannot expect to achieve great success in the short term, but we can take a team forward that we can all feel proud of. The simple fact that Spain has a team at the pinnacle of motorsport is already a great feat; we're a part of the G12."