HRT has announced that Luis Perez-Sala has been appointed tam principal following the departure of Colin Kolles.

13047 - Perez-Sala named HRT team principal

Kolles officially left HRT today after reaching an agreement with the team, citing the relocation to Spain as the reason for the split. Perez-Sala - who drove for Minardi for two seasons from 1988 - will take over the role with immediate effect, having previously been working for the team in an advisory role to new owners Thesan Capital. With the team aiming to get its new car ready in time for pre-season testing he said that he had a number of large challenges ahead.

"This naming is an honor but also a great responsibility," Perez-Sala said. "I joined the team as an advisor to the new owners and to contribute with my experience in any possible way. We had to establish a base from which to grow slowly and we are now seeing the first rewards of that work. But we mustn't lose our perspective and be aware that assuming responsibilities such as designing the car or moving the headquarters to Spain are huge tasks and we still have a lot of work ahead.

"We must be patient and keep in mind that we cannot expect to achieve great success in the short term, but we can take a team forward that we can all feel proud of. The simple fact that Spain has a team in the pinnacle of motorsports is already a great feat; we're a part of the G12. And that, apart from being an honor, means a greater development to the structure and everything surrounding it."

HRT CEO Saúl Ruiz de Marcos said that he was pleased with the way Perez-Sala works and called it "the best decision we could make".

"Since we began working with Luis our connection has been great. Now he takes on a much more key role in the team but the decision was an easy one given his knowledge and his way of doing things. It is the best decision we could make. I would like to also thank Colin (Kolles) and Manfredi (Ravetto) for their work and dedication in these two years that the team has existed and I wish them the very best for the future."