HRT F1 Seat to Cost EUR10 Million for De la Rosa

Pedro de la Rosa may have a chance to return to Formula One racing in 2011. That is, of course, if he can come up with financial backing of EUR8 to 10 million in due time. And this is not a rumor that has surfaced in the Spanish media lately, but the very statement of Hispania Racing F1 Team's owner Jose Ramon Carabante.

According to Carabante, his team will likely maintain their pay driver policy for the second year running in Formula One, as the latest events connected to the Spanish team did not provide it with a bright future ahead.

“Pedro wants to come, but it depends very much on the support. Without money, there is no place for him. We can't allow ourselves a luxury like that,” said Carabante on Cadena Ser radio.

“He needs to contribute about eight or ten million. We have spoken with companies to try to attract sponsors, and we would like to have two Spanish drivers for our identity and someone like Pedro who can give us some direction for 2012.”

The team has recently been linked with a Toyota deal lately, according to which it could have used the unraced TF110 car in the 2011 season of F1. Additionally, HRT F1 could have used the technologies developed by the defunct Toyota F1 Racing team until 2008, along with certain parts of its Cologne facilities.

However, Toyota earlier this week announced that a deal was not reached with HRT F1 and that it maintains total control over its facilities and motor racing technologies at Cologne. Under the circumstances – we'll remind you that HRT quit its deal with chassis manufacturer Dallara midway through the 2010 campaign – the team doesn't have a car for 2011.

“A budget needs to be above 120 or 130 million euros. With that we will achieve a leap into the top ten. This year we had 45 (million) and next year it will be 55 and we would like 65 at least. Ferrari for example is in 400 million each season,” added Carabante, who also revealed that HRT will enter a “crucial week, deciding the future of the team”.