New Delhi: Ace Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan has claimed the last available slot for the 2012 Formula One season by signing a fresh contract with Hispania Racing Team and this time for the full calendar.
Karthikeyan along with Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa complete the HRT line-up for the season, beginning with Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 18.
A lot of other exprienced drivers missed out on getting a seat as such as Adrian Sutil and Vitali Petrov.
The 35-year old raced for Hispania in the 2011 in the first half of the season before being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo, although he was allowed to race in the home event at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix.
Karthikeyan said the good show in the Indian GP helped him convince the new management at the Hispania to get the racing seat. “I am continuing with HRT. Four-five drivers were competing for this seat and I am happy that the team management preferred me over others,” Karthikeyan told reporters here.
“I think the strong show at the Indian GP was a big factor (in getting seat) as I delivered after missing the action for four months. They believe that I still have what it takes to deliver in F1,” he said.
Asked if he had to arrange for more finance to get into the side, Karthikeyan said, “There were drivers who had more resources but I have the ability to race also.” (PTI)