Narain Karthikeyan says Indian GP form key to F1 deal with HRT
Narain Karthikeyan has admitted that his strong performance in the Indian Grand Prix was key to him remaining in Formula 1 with HRT this year
The 35-year-old started eight races for the Spanish outfit last year, the last of those on home soil after missing over three months of the season, and was announced as a 2012 driver earlier today.
After qualifying 22 thousandths of a second off team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, he finished 17th in the race. He believes that this performance underlined his speed and enabled him to build a sponsorship package to help land the seat for 2012.
"I wasn't driving the car regularly but got up to speed very quickly," Karthikeyan told AUTOSPORT. "That's when I knew that I should try and stay if there was a possibility.
"Things came together although obviously there was a lot of competition for the seat. Four or five drivers with budgets were trying to get the seat, but the team believes that I am fast."
Karthikeyan added that he is confident that HRT has a bright Formula 1 future under the new management that took over last year.
The long-term long-term plan that the Thesan Capital-owned outfit, now headed by team principal Luis Perez Sala, has put together played a part in his decision to join a team that has struggled for results since coming into F1 at the start of 2010.
"The team changes were good changes," said Karthikeyan. "The new management has a strong structure and financial backing for the project.
"There are a lot of positives. A good example is Pedro [de la Rosa, team-mate]. He could have had an easy life and stayed as a McLaren test driver, but he has come here because he knows that the team has a big future.
"I have a similar outlook to Pedro. Everything is in place and we should be in a good position.
"Things don't change overnight and we will have to wait and see how the new car is, but it will be a decent package."
The team's new car, which unlike last year's F111 will be built around a new monocoque, is scheduled to make its debut in the second pre-season test, which takes place at Barcelona on February 21-24.
To read AUTOSPORT's interview with Karthikeyan, click here.
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