The new HRT F112 completed its first laps at the Barcelona circuit on Monday ahead of its grand prix debut in Australia in less than two weeks.
The Spanish squad took advantage of the filming day regulations in order to shake down its new car after having been unable to get the car ready in time for the Barcelona test last week. Indian Narain Karthikeyan was the man in charge of driving the car in its initial outing late in the afternoon at the Circuit de Catalunya, after a frantic effort by the team to get the car ready in time. Karthikeyan's teammate Pedro de la Rosa was at the track following the proceedings.
The F112 features a stepped nose, like the majority of the 2012 cars, and will be powered by Cosworth engines for the third year in a row.
HRT's car was unveiled on the same day as rivals Marussia, although the Anglo-Russian team is yet to pass all the mandatory crash tests. The Marussia was in action at the Silverstone circuit.