Latest F1 news in brief

HRT surprises F1 by signing McLaren's de la Rosa
Senna hopes to keep Renault/Lotus seat for 2012
Rosberg not worried career could echo Heidfeld's
Hopeful Hulkenberg returns to scene of maiden pole

HRT surprises F1 by signing McLaren's de la Rosa
(GMM) HRT has surprised the F1 world by announcing Pedro de la Rosa as one of its race drivers for the 2012 season.

The 40-year-old Catalan returned to his regular role as McLaren's long-time reserve driver this year after an abortive racing comeback in 2010 with Sauber.

HRT, the back-of-the-grid Spanish team that this season was bought from Jose Ramon Carabante by Thesen Capital, said de la Rosa will be racing not only in 2012 but also 2013.

The team said his signing is a "fundamental pillar" in HRT's "renewed project".

"I want to thank (McLaren boss) Martin (Whitmarsh) for giving me the opportunity to follow my heart," said de la Rosa. "Without them (McLaren) I wouldn't be here today."

Senna hopes to keep Renault/Lotus seat for 2012
(GMM) Bruno Senna has admitted he is hoping to be retained by Renault for 2012.

The Brazilian stepped into the black and gold R31 earlier this season to replace Nick Heidfeld, who had been signed as injured regular Robert Kubica's initial substitute.

Senna, 28, has had mixed form during his seven races so far in 2011, describing his season as "interesting" on Brazilian SporTV.

"In terms of learning, it has been very difficult," he conceded on the sports program Arena.

"I started in the middle and had to learn to use KERS and the moving wing (DRS), and the lack of experience and mileage impaired me a little," said Senna, ahead of his second home race at Interlagos this weekend.

And his thoughts are already set beyond the season finale, with his mother Viviane revealing last week that they are in negotiations with Renault for 2012.

"I have no contract with any team for next year," Senna clarified. "The intention is to stay at Renault," he added, referring to the Enstone based team that in 2012 will be called Lotus.

"In formula one it is all about performance, and the team is happy with mine."

In a separate interview, he told O Estado de S.Paulo: "I am trying my hardest to stay in this seat.

"It depends on (Robert) Kubica, on (Romain) Grosjean, on sponsorship, a lot of things that, unfortunately, are not under my control.

"We have to get all the factors coming together," the Paulista explained.

On injured Pole Kubica's possible 2012 return, Senna added: "The team isn't going to wait until the middle of next year to decide. I hope it doesn't take too long."

Rosberg not worried career could echo Heidfeld's
(GMM) Nico Rosberg insists he has no "fear" his promising F1 career might end as countryman Nick Heidfeld's did — without a single win.

German Heidfeld contested more than 180 grands prix until this season without ever standing at the top step of the podium.

Now with more than half of Heidfeld's race tally, 26-year-old Rosberg has shown promisingly alongside Michael Schumacher in the past two years and has signed on with Mercedes for even longer.

But is he worried his career might end as Heidfeld's did?

"Fear? No, why should I be afraid?" he insisted to the Kolner Express newspaper. "I think Nick had a good career.

"I'm not sitting here thinking this is it. I am here with total conviction that I will keep doing a good job and keep developing. And we'll see in the end what comes of it."

However, it must rankle Rosberg that, despite his arguably more successful formative career, the two-year-younger Sebastian Vettel came into F1 and quickly found a car to race to two consecutive drivers' titles.

"No, not even a little bit," insisted Rosberg when asked if he is envious. "That is completely foreign to me.

"I don't compare us as I am satisfied with my own situation. And I am convinced that my time will come."

But if that time doesn't arrive by the end of 2013, it is rumored that Rosberg's new contract allows him to walk away if he can find a better seat.

"I don't want to say anything about any numbers or whatever," he insisted. "And what's that about 'probation'? The motto now is 'full throttle'!"

Hopeful Hulkenberg returns to scene of maiden pole
(GMM) Nico Hulkenberg will this weekend return to the asphalt that delivered his maiden pole position a year ago.

Interlagos was the penultimate race of 2010 and also the second-last in the 24-year-old's rookie season with Williams — and he duly conquered qualifying in tricky damp conditions.

One race later, he was soon to be replaced over the winter off-season by Pastor Maldonado, Hulkenberg's successor as GP2 champion and backed by millions of Venezuelan dollars.

The gutted Hulkenberg decamped to Force India, where in 2011 he has been driving the Mercedes-powered car on most Friday mornings.

"Yes, I am replacing (Adrian) Sutil (this weekend) — for 90 minutes," Hulkenberg laughed to Blick newspaper, aware of the raging speculation that he will be replacing his experienced countryman full-time in 2012.

One of his 43,000 followers on Twitter commented: "Poor choice by Force India. Everybody knows you perform way better on Saturdays in Brazil."

Agreed triple world champion Niki Lauda: "We need to see this fast guy in a good race car next season."

Hulkenberg said: "I have to race in 2012. I want to prove what I can do."