Photo by: XPB Images
Bernie Ecclestone is happy that HRT, the back of the grid Spanish team, appears to have turned a corner.
Last year, the F1 chief executive described the team and fellow straggler Virgin as "cripples" that have been "an embarrassment" that the sport needed to "get rid of".
A year on, HRT has new owners in the form of Thesen Capital and is working towards building a more Spanish identity and a permanent base.
McLaren's highly experienced Pedro de la Rosa has been signed for the next two seasons, the gearbox deal with Williams has been extended, and a new Toyota link has emerged.
The BBC reported last weekend that the team is set to begin working with a Cologne company that is co-owned by Caterham's Tony Fernandes and Mike Gascoyne.
"It's effectively the design office of the former Toyota team", reported assistant editor Andrew Benson.
They may start to be a good team to give joy to the Spanish fans
All the developments have been received as good news by Ecclestone.
"Yes, I have to say I am very happy with the direction being taken now," he told Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
"It has changed, it's a good project with the right steps being taken. They may start to be a good team to give joy to the Spanish fans," added the 81-year-old Briton.
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