HRT unable to run on Saturday

HRT could go into the Formula 1 season without any testing after calling off its planned Saturday run at Barcelona as parts are stuck in customs.

The team unveiled its new F111 at the track this afternoon, but could not begin testing as planned as the dampers were still in customs after being flown in.

Although Hispania had hoped that the parts would arrive in time to be fitted ready for a full day of testing on the final day of pre-season running tomorrow, the team announced tonight that the dampers had not been released by the authorities.

Team boss Colin Kolles said: "Unfortunately we could not get the dampers out of customs. The result of this is that we can't run tomorrow. This is life and we will overcome this problem."

Drivers Narain Karthikeyan and Tonio Liuzzi have at least managed some testing mileage in the 2010 Hispania fitted with 2011 Pirelli tyres earlier in the winter.