Narain Karthikeyan has defended Hispania’s right to be on the grid, saying a ‘hierarchy makes the sport more interesting’.
The Indian made his return to Formula One with the struggling Spanish team at the start of the 2011 season. Failure to qualify within the 107% rule at the season opening Australian GP saw the team come under severe criticism.
However, things have gradually improved with both drivers making it through to the race in Malaysia and China, something the 34-year-old has put down to hard work and upgrades which he hopes will pay off later in the year.
“Survival is a hard thing,” Karthikeyan told the Hindustan Times. “It’s a small team. We have put together a pretty little car. The major difference against the bigger teams would be that we don’t use KERS.
“We didn’t get any mileage on the cars in the winter testing, so since then we were basically playing catch up. But it’s coming together for us now. If we keep making the upgrades I am sure we will have a good car for the Indian GP,” he added.
Karthikeyan knows the team won’t be on contention for the title for many, many years, but he believes the inclusion of slower teams gives younger drivers an opportunity to compete.
“The fact is we [mid-field teams] are never in contention for the title. But teams like these are equally important for F1.
“They provide the platform for younger drivers and for drivers like me who are coming back. There’s this hierarchy in every sport, but it only makes it more interesting.”
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