Australian GP: HRT race report

Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna made good starts in today's Qantas Australian Grand Prix, Bruno jumping from 21st to 14th and Karun pushing from 22nd to 16th. Unfortunately Bruno's race ended after five laps due to hydraulic problems. Karun had a ...

Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna made good starts in today's Qantas Australian Grand Prix, Bruno jumping from 21st to 14th and Karun pushing from 22nd to 16th. Unfortunately Bruno's race ended after five laps due to hydraulic problems. Karun had a reliable run despite two offs and destroying the floor, which affected the car's aerodynamics. He scored the team's first finish with 14th place.

Dr. Colin Kolles (Team Principal):

This result, having Karun ending up the race in 14th position is a great step forward. We reached the goal with one of the two cars in the finish. I'm sorry for Bruno because he did a good job all weekend. Karun Chandhok drove the team's first full race and finished in 14th position the first race for the team, what was really fantastic, especially with these difficult conditions. The team did a great job and brought two very competitive cars on the grid. Now we will keep on pushing and just focus on our preparation for Malaysia, where our season will really begin.

Karun Chandhok:

A great thank to the team. To finish was very difficult today, and all the more satisfying because of that. I dedicate this race result to all the mechanics and engineers who worked so hard since Bahrain, without any pre-season testing. This is a fantastic day for the team and a great step forward. I am proud to have ended our first race. At the start, I could see a big accident developing ahead of me and tried to keep to the inside to avoid trouble. I was able to avoid getting caught up in the aftermath and was in 16th position. I pitted on my 8th lap like the Ferraris and it was comfortable until mid-race where I was 15th. Later I changed tires on my 51st lap, only 7 laps before the end. We achieved the best result we could do today. We have to keep pushing and working and we will manage to finish even higher.

Bruno Senna:

I didn't intend my second Grand Prix to end with an hydraulic failure, but that's racing! I made a good start and was in 14th after the big crash in front. It's fantastic for the team to make it to the finish and we have got a great deal of data to work from for Malaysia. I hope we can finish with two cars next race.