HRT driver Narain Karthikeyan confirms race seat for 2011 Indian Grand Prix – Formula 1 news
Hispania Racing Team driver Narain Karthikeyan has recently confirmed that he will be driving for the team as a race driver at his home race, the 2011 Indian Grand Prix which is going to make its debut at the end of October.
“Today is a very important step in the right direction for motorsports in the country. The sport has come a long way since the day I started racing. Viewership has gone up a lot, and corporate support is now more forthcoming,” he said.
HRT replaced him with Daniel Ricciardo who has been performing comparatively better according to the team as a result of which the team has decided to keep him for a number of races.
This was a very heartbreaking decision for Karthikeyan as he it also reduced his chances of performing at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix but it seems now that he will be driving as a race driver on October 31, 2011.
It is believed that his race seat was confirmed with the team after he signed a sponsorship deal with Hero Motors for the Indian Grand Prix.
“Formula 1 is in its nascent stage in India with great potential waiting to be explored. I hope with the support from Hero Motors we will be able to scale new milestones in the times to come,” said the Indian driver.
Other than Karthikeyan, Karun Chandhok, the test driver for Team Lotus is also hoping for a race seat at his home race which is not confirmed since he is a test driver according to his contract.
Karthikeyan on the other hand has a completely different situation as he is race driver according to his contract for HRT as a result of which he has the right to ask for the race seat at least for his home race.
Either way, the two Indian drivers are hoping to take part in the inaugural Indian Grand Prix and it seems now that the Indian Formula 1 fans will at least have one Indian driver on the grid for sure.
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