Karthikeyan confident for Sepang

The Indian and team-mate Tonio Liuzzi failed to make the grid in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after they were unable to run within 107 per cent of the fastest time in Q1.

But with more time to drive and this year's front wing - which the team was unable to use in Melbourne - Karthikeyan believes Hispania should make the cut in Sepang.

"If we get the new front wing. Not if, we are going to get it," Karthikeyan told Reuters.

"We are reasonably confident that we will qualify and if all these things happen then we don't have any excuse not to qualify for Malaysia."

Karthikeyan said he accepted the stewards' decision to not allow the team to race in Australia, but made it clear his squad was serious a competitor.

He also reckons the Spanish team will surprise people once it gets its car sorted.

"Basically, they don't want jokers to come in. We respect the 107 percent rule. We are a serious team," he added:

"When it all gets kicking off, I think we are going to surprise a few people. I'm pretty sure I can adapt pretty quickly. I know the Malaysia circuit really well, I like it."

He added: "The majority of the work is done, but the fine details just go on and on and on. You needed a complete car or it doesn't make any sense to go out.

"We know it is a really bad situation but there's no point in complaining about it."