Luis Perez-Sala Becomes New Team Principal at Spanish F1 Team HRT

Former Spanish Formula One driver Luis Perez-Sala has taken the top job at F1 minnows HRT as the replacement for team principal Kolin Kolles, pharm the team announnced today.

Kolles, a Germany-based Romanian, had led the financially-strapped Spanish team since they made their Formula One debut last year. His departure was announced on Wednesday.

“With the naming of Luis Perez-Sala at the fore of the team, HRT F1 team closes one chapter and begins a new one, which will hopefully come with new successes and satisfactions,” HRT said in a statement.

Perez-Sala, 52, completed two seasons for Minardi, achieving his best result at the 1989 British Grand Prix when he finished sixth. He initially joined the Spanish team as an advisor to the new owners, investment group Thesan Capital, this summer.

“We must be patient and keep in mind that we cannot expect to achieve great success in the short term,” he said.

“But we can take a team forward that we can still feel proud of. The simple fact that Spain has a team at the pinnacle of motor sports is already a great feat.”

The team is being moved to a new base in Valencia and are trying to establish themselves as an all-Spanish outfit.