Kolles to leave Hispania

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Published: 12:53pm, 14th December 2011
Updated: 5:04pm, 14th December 2011

Colin Kolles is to leave Hispania Racing on Thursday after two years as team principal.

HRT claim Kolles' departure comes as they seek "new direction" in an effort to propel themselves away from the back of the Formula One grid.

A statement read: "Spanish outfit HRT F1 Team and Dr. Colin Kolles have reached an agreement to end their co-operation, and therefore the team principal will abandon his post on the 15th of December 2011. This is due to the new direction the team has taken and the decision of the new management to move the team headquarters to Spain."

The statement continued: "HRT F1 Team would like to thank Dr. Colin Kolles for his work and dedication throughout these past two years and wish him the best in his future projects."

Kolles took up the post in February 2010 at a time when Hispania, one of three new entrants ahead of that season, were struggling to get their cars on the grid in time for the opening race.

Kolles, who turned 44 on Tuesday, had previously worked with Jordan and on through their various guises as Midland and Spyker prior to their present incarnation as Force India.

Vijay Mallya's arrival as owner and team principal of Force India for 2009 left Kolles in the cold, eventually resigning as director at the end of that year.

Hispania's arrival afforded him a new opportunity, replacing team founder Adrian Campos as Hispania foundered in the early days.

But now with new owners and a new base, it has been decided Kolles' services are no longer required.