The backmarking HRT Formula One team have said that they are still aiming to get their 2012 car on track for the second pre-season test of 2012, despite admitting to a "critical delay" in their plans for the new season.
The HRT squad have suffered annual issues in getting their new car rolled out since they joined the sport in 2010.
For the last two seasons, they have arrived at the first race of the year without a single mile of testing under their belts.
And recent reports have suggested that the team are struggling to be ready for the 2012 season as well, with some suggesting the team may be forced to race their 2011 car for the first races.
But the team insisted on Friday that while their plans have suffered a "critical delay", they are still aiming to have their new car ready for the second pre-season test in Barcelona.
"Rumours that we will take part in the initial grands prix with the 2011 car are not true," a team spokeswoman was quoted as saying by the BBC Sport website.
She added: "The target is to be at the second test with the new car."
The second test begins on February 21st, but the team are facing an uphill struggle to be ready given the new crash test rules for 2012.
From this season, new cars must pass all FIA crash tests before the start of testing itself, rather than simply the start of the season.
The HRT squad initially linked up with Italian company Dallara to design their 2010 car, but this partnership was quickly cancelled.
For 2011, their car was designed by Geoff Willis, but the experienced F1 designer has since parted company with the team and joined Mercedes.
The Spanish team were reportedly in discussions with Tony Fernandes's Caterham company over designing their new chassis late last year.
But these plans fell through, and an effort to sign experienced designer Jorg Zander to head up work on their new car also failed.
The spokeswoman insisted, though, that the team was still committed to 2012, and said that new owners Thesan Capital were working hard on the situation behind the scenes.
"The philosophy of the new owners has always been first work and then talk. And try to be as open and honest as possible," she rambled.
"There's been, and still is, a lot to work on but, even if we may struggle in the beginning, the structure that is being built now is a lot more solid, reliable and committed."
She added: "Hopefully, we'll be able to prove all that soon and change the team's perception, which is no longer real. It won't be a bed of roses but we'll manage to do it."
HRT remain the only team yet to confirm their driver line-up, with the identity of Pedro de la Rosa's team mate still unknown.
Dutch GP2 driver Giedo van der Garde has been most closely linked to the seat, with the paydriver expected to bring up to 6 million Euros in sponsorship to the cash-strapped team.
HRT have endured a troubled existence since becoming one of F1's new start-ups allowed to join the grid in 2010.
Initially run by Adrian Campos, the team only made it to the grid thanks to a last-minute buyout by businessman Jose Ramon Carabante.
Carabante sold the team to Thesan last year, with the Spanish company signing ex-Minardi driver Luis Perez-Sala to replace Colin Kolles as team boss.
Despite their lack of testing or funds, the HRT squad have achieved some plucky results in F1 in their first two years.
Although they have not scored a point, the team beat Virgin Racing to 11th place in the constructors championship in both 2010 and 2011.
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