Now Yamamoto replaces Chandhok...

[Williamsfan]

What is going on at HRT?

From autosport:

Karun Chandhok will not be racing at the German Grand Prix next weekend, his HRT team announced on Friday, and his place will be taken by Sakon Yamamoto.

The Japanese driver had replaced Bruno Senna for unknown reasons in the previous race at Silverstone, and the Brazilian will be back in action next week at Hockenheim.

Chandhok, however, will not be racing in Germany, the team said.

Hispania said that the Indian was still part of the team and that he was "likely" to be in the car later in the season.

"After Sakon Yamamoto gave a very positive performance in Silverstone, the team has decided to give the Japanese driver another opportunity to drive the car alongside Bruno Senna," said the team in a statement.

"Karun Chandhok is still part of the Hispania Racing, HRT F1 Team family and is likely to be in the car at some later races this season."

Yamamoto raced alongside Chandhok at the British Grand Prix, where the Japanese driver finished in 20th position behind the Indian.

[Jericoke]

I know it's got on the drivers to be tough coming in last place all the time, but this will keep the drivers from becoming complacent.  (Indeed, I might stop trying if I kept coming in last place all the time too.)

And it draws in more sponsor money.

[John S]

I think HRT have stopped being a race team and become a car rental firm.  

[lkjohnson1950]

If the 107% rule was in effect now, I don't think Yamamoto would have raced at Silverstone. What is the point of using a driver who is significantly slower than your regular drivers, especially since Chandhok apparently brought sponsorship to the team?

Lonny

[Williamsfan]

There had been talk Chandhok was going to be dropped for Silverstone as his sponsorship hasn't been coming in at the correct dates. Shame though as Karun seems a great guy and a pretty decent racer given the dog of a car he is stuck with.

[Jericoke]

If the 107% rule was in effect now, I don't think Yamamoto would have raced at Silverstone. What is the point of using a driver who is significantly slower than your regular drivers, especially since Chandhok apparently brought sponsorship to the team?

Lonny

Unfortunately there's no way of knowing how fast (or slow) a driver is until they participate in a race weekend.

[Alianora La Canta]

True. However Yamamoto had been in 14 GPs previously and had never shown any particular turn of speed. Also, he didn't do very well in the one Friday session he did earlier this year. This is clearly a money decision, and a badly-handled one at that.

[Williamsfan]

Very true Ali.  Salon has done nothing to merit a place on the grid and better racers have been dumped without being brought back than him.  It is definitely sponsor finances related and it is making HRT look very poor indeed.

[John S]

Very true Ali.  Salon has done nothing to merit a place on the grid and better racers have been dumped without being brought back than him.  It is definitely sponsor finances related and it is making HRT look very poor indeed.

I think they feel it's better to look the fool than become right charlies by going bust

It also reinforces the age old problem for drivers of cars in the second half of the grid, namely finding personal sponsors. Backing for drivers is rarely linked to their talent which is why we have seen so many mediochre F1 pilots over the years

Quite a few sources are now starting to suggest that HRT may not be on the grid next year, so we may get 2 new teams instead of one.

[Monty]

"After Sakon Yamamoto gave a very positive performance in Silverstone...

It is obviously all about money but what did they see that suggested Sakon gave a positive performance?
He was useless. Obviously badly out of practice. His neck muscles were giving up after only a few laps, etc., etc.

[cosworth151]

I'm starting to think they've copied the set of Wheel of Fortune. The three drivers spin the big wheel to see who drives in the next race.

Or, maybe HRT has realized that they are the F1 equivalent of T-ball, where everyone gets to play.

[Jericoke]

I'm starting to think they've copied the set of Wheel of Fortune. The three drivers spin the big wheel to see who drives in the next race.

Or, maybe HRT has realized that they are the F1 equivalent of T-ball, where everyone gets to play.

As opposed to RBR, where only Vettel gets the good toys 

[cosworth151]

"Red Bull gives you Mark's wiiiings!" 

[lkjohnson1950]

 

Lonny