HRT’s ‘F112’ is last year’s car

2012 F1 season

21st February 2012, 14:0419th June 2024, 10:38 | Written by Keith Collantine

Update: Here’s the real HRT F112.

HRT published an image of a car labelled the ‘F112’ on their website today.

However the team later confirmed the car in question was actually a F111 – the 2011 model.

Here is the image which was published today:

2012 F1 season

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89 comments on “HRT’s ‘F112’ is last year’s car”

falconspatrol (@falconspatrol)
21st February 2012, 14:07

Ohh dear…….In what situation they have fallen. I think they are the worst team in history
1. Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
  21st February 2012, 14:11
  
  far from true… VERY far from true…
  
  There have been hundreds of teams worse than HRT, not only in performance but in organization too. Andrea Moda comes to my mind…
  
  This team is stuggling, yeah. But they got a competent driver, an association with Williams and they are just starting. If they carry on, they’ll get much better.
  1. Tayyib (@m0nzaman)
    21st February 2012, 18:25
    
    They have finished above virgin/marussia 2 years in a row, they lack money but they continue to try hard and have had good drivers who give their all almost like f1s rocky. In this sport of politics, money and accusations of rule bending, its nice to see a plucky team who plod along and have beaten a team with more money.
  2. UKFan (@)
    21st February 2012, 21:01
    
    Yes, you’re right, today F1 limits the nº of teams per season why one reason is to avoid Lola’s (1998), if you take in account the level of technology nowadays the bad job with the press, the resources they have hrt is really bad at least marussia doenst atract so much atention to themselves.
    
    They cant even put the tyres on the rims. Thats 90’s teams when the season had alot of teams how can a team like hrt own a spot.
    1. Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
      22nd February 2012, 14:48
      
      You said it yourself. Lola (in 1997 it was), a company well known in motorsports, which was backed at the time by MasterCard, a proper sponsor, couldn’t make it as far as the first race.
      
      HRT, with less sponsors, much more risk, and a much higher technology level to achieve, is still going after 2 seasons.
      
      Even Honda struggled after only 1 season. And we’re talking about one of the biggest car companies in the world which also had bought BAR, an established team.
      
      HRT is doing just fine in comparision. If anything, even better than Toyota or Honda, given the budget.
  3. JCost (@jcost)
    22nd February 2012, 8:54
    
    Plus, their ‘longevity’ is impressive. They’ve been struggling to find strong financial support ever since they entered the sport but never seem to be giving up or rushing to realize an equity profit through selling the team.
    
    Despite their organizational missteps and lack of funds, I don’t foresee HRT pulling out the plug.
2. dennis (@dennis)
  21st February 2012, 14:14
  
  Where have you been throughout the 80’s and 90’s?
  Not born, I suppose.
3. Keith H
  21st February 2012, 14:15
  
  don’t forget that they have beaten Marussia (Virgin) for the last 2 years, so give them some credit.
4. MahavirShah (@mahavirshah)
  21st February 2012, 14:25
  
  They are definately not the worst team in F1 history, not even close. They have had to endure some very tough situations over the last two years. Also, as many will point out that this year their development seems to be heading in the right direction and has a sense of order around it. The have said that they would be keeping the same 2 drivers throughout the season which is a big step up from the previous years. In fact I admire their tenacity and determination to stick it out.
  
  I dont know if they will be here next year but that they have shown resolve to guts it out makes me want to wish them all the best .
  1. DuncF1 (@duncf1)
    21st February 2012, 14:35
    
    Wow, that’s a bit harsh! I do wish people would cut some slack and give the back-marking teams a break. To get any car on the grid in F1 is a massive achievement and their dogged determination and tenacity should be applauded. Everyone’s got to start somewhere. I hope they make some real progress this year and prove their critics wrong. Good Luck to ’em.
    1. Mike (@mike)
      21st February 2012, 14:41
      
      I whole heartedly agree. Even if this car doesn’t get to the first race I’m 100% in support of them.
      
      There’s nothing that impresses me more than a small team that digs it’s heels in and refuses to give up.
      1. Mike (@mike)
        21st February 2012, 14:42
        
        In fact, I just put them as a team I’m a fan of on my profile.
5. sesku (@sesku)
  21st February 2012, 15:04
  
  I won’t say HRT is the worst F1 team but they are among the worst F1 team.
  1. Mike (@mike)
    21st February 2012, 15:10
    
    I disagree. Modern F1 is so, so much tougher than it used to be. They are clearly the team who, in the next few years is going to struggle to survive the most. But to compare them to some older failed attempts, they look positively magnificent.
    
    Sorry to advertise another site, but I think this link is very relevant.
    1. Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
      21st February 2012, 16:24
      
      Totally. THe fact that HRT is trying their best at this era of F1 just shows they are far from being the worst in F1.
      
      In the old days, the backmakers used to run old Williamses or McLarens, or even cars from the feeder series. HRT is building a new car every year, and trying to keep up with the likes of blown-diffuser, KERS and million other innovations (even if, obviously, they don’t fit it in the car).
      
      Besides, the development rate is as high as ever. In the old days, some teams even ran the same car for multiple seasons. Now, you just cannot do that.
      
      People just give HRT respect.
    2. A-Safieldin (@)
      21st February 2012, 20:32
      
      I read a lot of F1 rejects, HRT aren’t plucky their financial difficulty sadly hasn’t made them creative like many of the old teams who lacked money. They should flip through the rule book and find more loopholes than anyone because they need them. Under the current situation I’ll be thoroughly impressed if they make to 2013.
6. javlinsharp (@javlinsharp)
  21st February 2012, 16:03
  
  I really have to agree with all the HRT supporters.
  How often I hear complaints about F1 losing its soul.
  Tilkedromes, Silly Rules, and Big Constructors Teams ripping out the heart of what started in the garages near Silverstone.
  
  While I am not a big fan, I have to respect the underdogs who struggle when it makes ZERO sense for them to do so. No, they will not challenge for wins, Yes, they will be broke for many years to come, but they are TRYING. In the face of Monitary disadvantange, they are Trying, when they start from the back again and again, they are Trying. When they answer their sponsors “Why no points AGAIN this year?” They are TRYING.
  
  Go on HRT!!! Remind us all where we came from, and that its still not too late to wrench some aspect of the Pure Love of Racing out of the mouth of the commercial beoheamoth that has become F1.
7. peru-kowalsky
  21st February 2012, 20:38
  
  falconspatrol, grow up and don’t go with the flow. They are not as bad as some mainstream fans want us to believe.
  I wish them the best. It is a big effort, and a wonderful adventure.
8. cjpdk (@cjpdk)
  21st February 2012, 21:12
  
  HRT are probably the worst team on the grid, but its unfair to rank them with some of the disasters before them.
  
  Mastercard Lola were 15 seconds off the pace in their only race.
  
  Life never did more than 6 laps before engine failure.
  
  Andrea Modawere banned from ever competing in F1 again.
  
  HRT are nowhere near as bad.
9. Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
  22nd February 2012, 5:11
  
  Going by the Facebook link Keith posted, it would appear that the F111 was mistakenly posted as the F112.
  
  Also, there are substantial differences in the nose on this car compared to the F111.
  1. BasCB (@bascb)
    22nd February 2012, 7:28
    
    The interesting question then is, why did the team publish this picture.
    It doesn’t show a new car (although their 2012 car might actually be just a reworked version of last years), nor does it show a stunning new livery.
Girts (@girts)
21st February 2012, 14:08

1) Nice nose
2) Unusual sidepods – or is it just the white colour?
3) I hope they colour it pink
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
21st February 2012, 14:08

Very difficult to tell from this image, but do I spot a shark-fin engine cover? Aren’t those illegal now? They’re ugly as sin, whatever the case.

Overall, however, I think it looks decent. Very interesting front end, anyway.
1. Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
  21st February 2012, 14:12
  
  I think the shark-fins are restricted, not forbidden, because HRT used a tiny one last year that looks quite similar to this one.
  1. damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
    21st February 2012, 14:15
    
    Of course, I see now! It looked as though it stretched to the rear wing at first, but upon closer inspection, I can see it’s only little. Red Bull also had a little shark-fin when they launched the RB7, which they ditched for some reason.
    
    By the way, I’ve changed my mind already. I don’t like the look of this car at all! Awful shape…
2. dennis (@dennis)
  21st February 2012, 14:15
  
  @damonsmedley
  
  As far as I can remember they restrited the length of the fin, so that it could not touch the rear wing. So it was deemed unnecessary by most teams. It is however not banned alltogether to run one like this.
3. Leggacy
  21st February 2012, 14:24
  
  No i don’t think thats a shark fin, just the end plate from the rear wing blending in due to lack of contrast. Looks like a render though.
  1. Mike (@mike)
    21st February 2012, 14:50
    
    It is definitely a render.
  2. PJ (@)
    21st February 2012, 15:37
    
    It’s the lack of contrast from the render (plus the small image size) which makes it look like 2010 fin at first.
    1. JerseyF1 (@jerseyf1)
      21st February 2012, 17:32
      
      It looks to me like the back end is not big enough to fit a fuel tank and engine in there behind the driver.
      
      I hope it’s just the angle of the image and render quality and they didn’t forget to put in one of the important bits.
JPQuesado (@joao-pedro-cq)
21st February 2012, 14:09

I dare to say it is the same car as last year’s one, only with a different nose. But even the nose looks the same!
1. bananarama (@bananarama)
  21st February 2012, 14:18
  
  Who is your ophtalmologist? Go chamge to a different one .. ;-)
  
  I have to say, that car could have been a lot worse, I hope it’ll be good enough to compete with Marussia.
  1. JPQuesado (@joao-pedro-cq)
    21st February 2012, 14:22
    
    I’m just hoping their nightmare ends. I hate to see teams in trouble.
    1. vjanik
      22nd February 2012, 21:13
      
      the solution to that would be for them to wake up and realise that it was only a dream.
      
      let someone else have a go.
  2. sdtaylor91 (@sdtaylor91)
    21st February 2012, 14:23
    
    very doubtful. They only started developing this car in november/december. Most other teams started working on the 2012 cars in the middle of 2011. It does look very similar to the 2011 car, same roll hoop, same front wing etc
Tyson Evans (@bobtehblob)
21st February 2012, 14:10

I swear i’ve seen this before… At least it looks nice in comparison to almost all the other cars :D
KeeleyObsessed (@keeleyobsessed)
21st February 2012, 14:10

…That could be interesting.. Looks like they’ve gone for a slanted nose rather than a stepped one.. That could be better, I’ve often wondered whether the stepped noses would disrupt the airflow..

There’s really not much else noticeable about this car.. I guess we can only hope that it’ll close the gap to the midfield…
1. Mike (@mike)
  21st February 2012, 14:51
  
  I’m willing to bet that it won’t get even close to the midfield, the sloped nose will be more an indication of their budget than of design choice.
Klaas (@klaas)
21st February 2012, 14:13

Definitely a race-winner.
1. damonsmedley (@damonsmedley)
  21st February 2012, 14:19
  
  Almost certainly.
  1. MRFS
    21st February 2012, 15:46
    
    Sloped nose = win
dennis (@dennis)
21st February 2012, 14:13

The fin on the back and the Pirellis with the old label would suggest this is indeed something they came up with for 2011…………
David-A (@david-a)
21st February 2012, 14:18

I wouldn’t be surprised if this was their final livery.
1. PJ (@)
  21st February 2012, 15:38
  
  I hope not. I know Daniel Simon’s moved on to the Lotus WEC car, but his livery last year for the HRT was actually quite nice.
  
  While they’re not retaining that I hope they come up with something sensible at least.
Fixy (@)
21st February 2012, 14:23

Best-looking car of the season! If they come up with a nice livery, with white, black and a little gold, it’ll look amazing!
Maybe this is what Ross Brawn meant when he said: “there were a few teams who said ‘we want to continue with our 2011 chassis, and we want to be able to match the new nose up to it’.” However, as HRT used a low nose last season as well, they could’ve changed the regulations to remove the step and they’d have been legal anyway.
1. GeeMac (@geemac)
  21st February 2012, 14:40
  
  That was the first thing I thought…it could only be HRT (and maybe Marussia) who would have needed to run their 2011 chassis.
2. JerseyF1 (@jerseyf1)
  21st February 2012, 18:02
  
  I think that Ross Brawn’s point was that they didn’t reduce the maximum chassis height in the regulations to allow old chassis to be mated to a new lower nose (where necessary). The regulations don’t specify the step, that is the teams’ preference with the current regulations.
  
  If they had changed the regulations as Ross Brawn suggested then this chassis would not conform, regardless of the fact they don’t currently have a step on it.
  
  The lack of a step may relate to crash-testing issues rather than optimum performance.
Kjuna
21st February 2012, 14:23

They have failed 2nd crash test… And this is a beast car! :))
Slr (@slr)
21st February 2012, 14:26

Now if they just got rid of the shark fin, it would look as good as the McLaren (which doesn’t actually look that good).
topdowntoedown (@topdowntoedown)
21st February 2012, 14:28

Looks like a Brawn. :)
Andy Redden (@andyredden-on-f1)
21st February 2012, 14:29

Keith you’ve made a mistake. This is the F111. Looking at that I’ll be amazed if they often make it past the 107%
1. Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
  21st February 2012, 14:43
  
  @andyredden-on-f1 See the link in the article: This is what the team are calling the F112, though as I said it looks a lot like last year’s car.
  
  It may well be the same chassis underneath, as described in the Ross Brawn article earlier today.
  1. Mike (@mike)
    21st February 2012, 14:53
    
    Their site appears to be down.
  2. Andy Redden (@andyredden-on-f1)
    21st February 2012, 14:59
    
    Andrew Benson has wrote of Twitter that he has been in contact with HRT F1 and that is NOT their 2012 car. Im Puzzled.
    1. Mike (@mike)
      21st February 2012, 15:07
      
      Yeah, this is an interesting situation.
      
      Can anyone confirm what exactly it said on the HRT site?
electrolite (@electrolite)
21st February 2012, 14:29

Nice! I’m hoping for a mostly white livery, with bits of gold and black. And of course, some sponsors. Awaiting more detailed images though.
Fixy (@)
21st February 2012, 14:32

So far, they’ve kept their tradition of hiring an Indian driver for each season… will they also continue the tradition of dropping him halfway through the season?
barkun (@barkun)
21st February 2012, 14:33

thats a nice nose :)
Gabriel
21st February 2012, 14:36

Is that a F duct going to rear wing?!
DuncF1 (@duncf1)
21st February 2012, 14:39

I reckon they should leave it white and forget about littering it with ‘This Could Be You’ logos :)
1. PJ (@)
  21st February 2012, 15:40
  
  Or how about doing what McLaren did last year and have fans design the livery for every qualifying session? ;)
  1. DuncF1 (@duncf1)
    21st February 2012, 15:50
    
    Good call! I reckon you’d be in with a shot there Mr Tierney. Perhaps they should cover the car in your F1 poster designs ;)
    
    To be honest, I think they should have a yellow body with red front and rear wings. The new investors have openly said that they want to make the team ‘more Spanish’ so replicating the Spanish flag seems the obvious solution?
    1. PJ (@)
      21st February 2012, 16:23
      
      We could get @jezson to put some together.
      1. Jezson (@jezson)
        22nd February 2012, 14:03
        
        It might look a bit rubbish… I think the only pictures they have of last years car are computer generated.
        
        I see you mentioned Repsol colours… I did a Repsol Toro Rosso a couple of years ago, around the same time as the sugar free. I think it can be found via google.
    2. PJ (@)
      21st February 2012, 16:26
      
      How about bringing back the MasterCard Lola, or having the car in Repsol colours?
      
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:F1Lola1997.jpg
      
      http://staurvik.net/wp-content/gallery/motorsykkler/honda-cbr1000rr-05-repsol-3.jpg
GeeMac (@geemac)
21st February 2012, 14:42

Erm, I’m really struggling to spot differences between this and the F111 (other than the nose obviously)!
Eggry (@eggry)
21st February 2012, 14:43

So they’re not stepped nose anyway. Mclaren, you’re not alone.
nackavich (@nackavich)
21st February 2012, 14:45

They’re some nice black wheels. Because thats all I can see on that white background!
Fixy (@)
21st February 2012, 14:45

Interestingly, HRT have still got Liuzzi in their drivers’ section, below Dani Clos… Clos’ role is “test driver”, Liuzzi’s is “driver”.
As they have revisited completely the site for 2012, it’s almost impossible that they’ve missed him – actually it looks like they’ve updated his profile. Or they might want to keep all the drivers who drove for them since 2011.
1. electrolite (@electrolite)
  21st February 2012, 14:50
  
  They probably have a rotor system going. “Am I driving this weekend? No? what about the race after that? Okay, maybe.”
  1. Fixy (@)
    21st February 2012, 14:55
    
    I hope you’re right @electrolite! :’D
2. PJ (@)
  21st February 2012, 15:39
  
  “Driver” could mean manning the forklifts for all we know :D
Carrick Stonehouse (@cstonehouse)
21st February 2012, 14:48

I believe that’s the f111, if it’s the F112 then why worry about the crash tests, use the f111.
Carrick Stonehouse (@cstonehouse)
21st February 2012, 14:48

Plus I’m sure HRT are using KERS this year
Metal Mr. L (@metalluigi)
21st February 2012, 14:57

If McLaren weren’t worried about their nose before, they will be now.
1. Vijilio (@kvijilio)
  21st February 2012, 16:01
  
  +1
PJ (@)
21st February 2012, 15:39

Is this the car before or after the crash test?
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
21st February 2012, 16:32

@keithcollantine have you contacted HRT? because apparently that’s not the F112 after all.
Lin1876 (@lin1876)
21st February 2012, 16:34

Looks alright so far, and De La Rosa should be able to extract what performance it has hidden away, but it does look a bit too similar to last year’s car, which was rather similar to the 2010 car. Time will tell…
Adam (@adjames)
21st February 2012, 17:02

I’m pretty sure it’s the F111 (which may in deed end up racing this year!)- check this image out of the car at the same angle:
1. Mike (@mike)
  21st February 2012, 17:04
  
  It may be the same Chassis, but some parts look different.
  1. Mike (@mike)
    21st February 2012, 17:05
    
    Although that may be due to this being a rendering.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
21st February 2012, 17:46

HRT have now confirmed the car is actually last year’s car, despite being clearly referred to as an “F112” on their website.

I have (heavily) revised the article above accordingly.
I Love Pope Benedict XVI
21st February 2012, 18:09

Is Andrea Sassetti secretly running this team?
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
21st February 2012, 20:53

I love how much support HRT are getting these days, I’ve always respected them and had a soft spot for them! I want to give them a big cuddle.

Whatever happens with the car, I’m looking forward to their livery.
1. Carrick Stonehouse (@cstonehouse)
  22nd February 2012, 0:36
  
  *member of the HRT fan club*
Drew from Alabama (@actshady)
22nd February 2012, 2:51

At least they aren’t USF1, now that’s a poor team.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
22nd February 2012, 3:22

1st thought,thanks other then Mclaren someone did turn up with a good nose.
Fixy (@)
5th March 2012, 19:07

I’d missed the news the “F112” was actually the F111… the real F112 is different, luckily (but not too much).

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89 comments on “HRT’s ‘F112’ is last year’s car”