Disappointing race day for HRT
After an eventful and thrilling race, Hispania Racing left Spa-Francorchamps disappointed. Bruno Senna had to retire after getting off to a good start due to a suspension failure on the rear left of his car. His teammate Sakon Yamamoto was able to cross the finish line for the second time in a row this season and ended up in 20th position.
Dr Colin Kolles, Team Principal:
“It was a turbulent and difficult race today with changing conditions. We started on dry tyres and Sakon Yamamoto was in 13th position in the first laps. Bruno Senna got his front wing damaged in the first lap and so we had to change it in his pit stop, when he also went on intermediate tyres. Unfortunately, his rear left suspension failed and he had to retire early in the race. Later, heavy rain was expected and Sakon changed to wet tyres in his second pit stop. I want to thank the mechanics, who did a good job this weekend, especially in the pit stops. Now, we have to focus on the next round in Monza and we hope to show a good performance again.”
Sakon Yamamoto, Race driver #20, F110-03, 20th:
“A lot happened in the race, where I had a good start and I could win some positions. It was difficult to push on the option tyres, so we changed on the primes. At the end of the race, the rain came back and we needed to change the tyres and played it as a gamble and changed to wets. With the low intensity in the beginning of this rain shower, the tyres got used too hard and started to grain. So, I lost a bit of performance when the rain was heavy. But I am happy and I want to thank the team for being able to finish the tough race again.”
Bruno Senna, Race driver #21, F110-02 #21, retired:
“It was a bit of an unlucky race for us unfortunately. We had a really good start, probably the best we’ve done. But then into the first corner it got a bit tight, they got my front wing broken. So we came in and put the intermediate tyres which we need to change back after one lap as the rain stopped. One lap later, the rear left suspension failed. So we had everything going against us today. But this is how it goes in motor racing, we just have to look forward to Monza and hopefully it will be better there.”
Weather: Rainy – air temperature 14°C, track temperature 16°C
Race: 44 laps
Track length: 7.004 km
