Kolles leaves HRT

[PhillT]

The beginning of the end, or a fresh new start?
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96741

[norman156]

Not sure about beginning of the end, but can't be good for their 2012 prospects, surely? You'd think moving the entire team would have a pretty profound impact on their preparations. Wouldn't surpsise me if we see them missing almost of all of pre-season testing again next year.

[Streps]

Who do they have to replace him?

I feel he is a big part of why the team is still on the grid.

[TheArchitect]

Well if Joe is to be believed then things are not looking good!

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/exit-kol...

[groomi]

Shame. I thought they performed relatively well this year and were getting themselves sorted out.

Unfortunately Kolles seems to be unable to do any more than act as an F1 troubleshooter. He seems to have the right ideas, but no or little management support.

[Rich_W]

HRT seems to have no clue about what it takes to move forward. You listen to Caterham and Marussia. Sure, they aren't anywhere near the points. But they say the right things and look professional. HRT don't even prop up the grid. They devalue it.

[m0rris]

I suspect that is because Marussia are actually a proper racing team with enough knowledge and Lotus have an F1 mad owner who wants to succeed... I think when you have to put adverts about advertising on your car on your car you need to give up.

[rubystone]

m0rris said:

I suspect that is because Marussia are actually a proper racing team with enough knowledge and Lotus have an F1 mad owner who wants to succeed... I think when you have to put adverts about advertising on your car on your car you need to give up.

Roflmao. Might agree with you on Caterham, but the rest real is, with all due respect, extremely uninformed.

[Great Dane]

But is Kolles really that well respected???

[Cyder]

rubystone said:

m0rris said:

I suspect that is because Marussia are actually a proper racing team with enough knowledge and Lotus have an F1 mad owner who wants to succeed... I think when you have to put adverts about advertising on your car on your car you need to give up.

Roflmao. Might agree with you on Caterham, but the rest real is, with all due respect, extremely uninformed.

Really? Marussia are just a rebadged Manor Racing team who have been around in the lower formulae for years aren't they? I think people maybe get fooled by the name and forget who is working behind the scenes. John Booth and co aren't daft unless you know otherwise?

[m0rris]

Thats what I was trying to say... they are rubbish but that is driven by a lack of resources as they have enough experience within the team to be able to give F1 a hack.

edit to add: Looking on their website they show as ther previous drivers: Kimi, Lewis H and PDiR Not to mention Plato, a certain C Horner (granted not know for driving ability) and a smattering of DTM and BTCC drivers.

Edited by m0rris on Thursday 15th December 23:57

[ZeeTacoe]

m0rris said:

Thats what I was trying to say... they are rubbish but that is driven by a lack of resources as they have enough experience within the team to be able to give F1 a hack.

edit to add: Looking on their website they show as ther previous drivers: Kimi, Lewis H and PDiR Not to mention Plato, a certain C Horner (granted not know for driving ability) and a smattering of DTM and BTCC drivers.

Edited by m0rris on Thursday 15th December 23:57

Doesn't look like they ever designed a car thought.

[Save Ferris]

Streps said:

Who do they have to replace him?

Luis Perez-Sala!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/161945...

[llewop]

Save Ferris said:

Luis Perez-Sala!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/161945...

Who apparently drove Minardi's a couple of years, but even in the write-ups, doesn't seem to claim any other relevant experience....

To be honest I suspect the coming year will be the nail in the coffin of this fiasco and we'll be down to 11 teams

[ajprice]

What's Omar Baba going to do now?

[rubystone]

Cyder said:

Really? Marussia are just a rebadged Manor Racing team who have been around in the lower formulae for years aren't they? I think people maybe get fooled by the name and forget who is working behind the scenes. John Booth and co aren't daft unless you know otherwise?

Just out of interest, would you rate Trevor Carlin at the same level as John Booth?

[RenesisEvo]

ZeeTacoe said:

Doesn't look like they ever designed a car thought.

No, they didn't. But that doesn't mean the people who designed the cars haven't got any experience. Far from it, and I think I'm in a good position to judge.

[ZeeTacoe]

RenesisEvo said:

ZeeTacoe said:

Doesn't look like they ever designed a car thought.

No, they didn't. But that doesn't mean the people who designed the cars haven't got any experience. Far from it, and I think I'm in a good position to judge.

Errr?

[Presuming Ed]

Sala is only a small part of the changes and there are plenty of other people behind this move, I understand they are moving to rather nice premisis in Valencia which is apparently owned by a certain Mr Ecclestone and Briatore.
There are people who were banned a couple of years ago who are quite active in the F1 arena

[RenesisEvo]

ZeeTacoe said:

Errr?

From my understanding, someone commented that Manor didn't look like they'd ever designed a car. I was pointing out that the people who designed the Virgin Racing cars have designed [F1] cars before, so the comment was a bit wide of the mark IMO.