HRT has withdrawn from the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) because it believes the group represents the views of big teams over F1's smaller outfits.
FOTA was set up to give F1 teams a united voice in negotiations with the FIA and Formula One Management, which run the sport. In 2009 it stood firmly against a proposition to introduce a budget cap to the sport and even threatened to create a breakaway series.
However, HRT does not believe the current arrangement serves its interests.
"We left FOTA around December 15," a team spokeswoman said. "For our interests it is better not to be there. It's more for the big teams than the small ones."
However, she added: "Of course the possibility of joining FOTA again in the future can happen."
The news has sparked reports that HRT's departure could trigger more teams to split with FOTA ahead of crucial commercial negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone over the new Concorde Agreement. However, all 11 of F1's other teams remain in FOTA and have shown no signs of wanting to leave.
There are also reports that the real reason HRT left was because it had not paid its €100,000 membership fee.
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