The situation at HRT (Haupt Racing Team) appears unstable with the recent resignation of five members of its DTM engineering team. Among them, the head of engineering, Laurent Fedacou, stands out as a key figure for the team since his arrival in late 2021.
Fedacou, with prior experience at the Audi and Venturi teams, has been responsible for the technical direction of HRT’s GT3 programs. In addition to him, four French engineers have also decided to leave the team, including race engineers Clement Faye and Valentin Planque, who have worked with drivers Arjun Maini and Finn Wiebelhaus.
Restructuring on the Horizon
Despite the resignations, Fedacou and Faye were recently seen at a private DTM test at Nürburgring. In an official communication, HRT announced that a restructuring of the team is expected, despite the recent successes, such as the first podiums achieved by their drivers during the 2026 season.
The team director, Ulrich Fritz, explained that after reviewing the first half of the season, it was necessary to redefine responsibilities, streamline decisions, and optimize processes. «This restructuring does not seek immediate reactions, but is based on the creation of solid structures with a clear vision,» he stated.
Facing Change
Fritz acknowledged that there will be departures from the team, but he assured that the season will be completed together. The nature of the resignations also implies notice periods, which explain the presence of the engineers at recent tests.
The growth of HRT, with more than ten Ford Mustangs in various competitions, has led the team to make strategic adjustments in personnel. «We are building a system that does not depend on individual people, but on a team capable of changing and adapting,» said Fritz.
An International Staff
One of the factors that has contributed to the number of French engineers on the team is the collaboration with the French engineering academy ESTACA, which provides young talents during their internship phases. This has allowed for the incorporation of new engineers, but has also led to losses when some seek other opportunities later.
With expectations for a better response and greater competitiveness on the track, HRT is preparing to face new challenges while seeking to establish itself in the world of DTM.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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