Nov.17 (GMM) The mood at HRT this weekend is dire, with the ailing Spanish team's staff making it known "we are unemployed and available", according to the sports daily Marca.

At the beginning of the week, owner Thesan Capital said it is seeking a buyer for the backmarker.

Spanish media reports said if that doesn't happen by the day after the 2012 finale in Brazil, all staff will be retrenched.

32 have already been let go.

An unnamed HRT engineer said: "Curiously, two of them, a simulation engineer from McLaren GT and one from Marussia, were only in the office five days.

"We were working on next year's car, trying to improve. It has caught us all by surprise."

Another, a mechanic, said the HRT offices are now "empty".

"We have been told that our last day could be November 26. If we are here (in Austin), it is because they (Thesan) have contracts with the FIA and FOM, forcing them to compete."

Another unnamed HRT team member said the team came close to being sold to a Qatari group, but the deal broke down at the last minute.

That has triggered the current situation.

"I think the grid next year will have only 22 cars," someone with knowledge of the situation is quoted as saying.

The source added: "It is true that someone could come and take the team for a reduced price, but time is the factor.

"The 2013 car design has been stopped and that's the most important thing, putting two cars on the grid.

"The license is what counts, but first you need a car."

An HRT team member said: "We are not closing due to a lack of liquidity, but simply because Thesan has decided it is no longer profitable.

"They have already lost interest in F1."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version

F1 News  F1 Schedule  F1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  F1 Tickets  Live F1 Coverage

Full Version: Formula 1 News  Formula 1 Schedule  Formula 1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  Live F1 Coverage  10 'n' Pole  F1 Regulations  The Forums  Motorsport Shop  F1 Merchandise  F1 Tickets  F1 Diecast  F1 Videos  F1 Games