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F1 prospect slim now, concetrating on A1GP: Karthikeyan

By Staff
New Delhi, Dec 20: Having led Team India to victory in Zhuhai round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsports, Narain Karthikeyan today said he has little chance of making into Formula One now and would concentrate on taking the team to more victories in A1GP.

''At the moment there is nothing concrete in F1 front for me. I am concetrating on A1GP. Team India is doing well and I hope we will continue to do well in the remaining six rounds,'' Karthikeyan said. ''I am on a high after winning the Zhuhai race. Our aim is to finish in top six in the remaining races. ''I assure you that I will complete the A1GP season,'' said the former Jordan driver.

By coming first at Zhuhai in the Feature Race on December 15 with fastest lap time of 1:25.183 sec on lap 28 with a top speed of 262.8 kph, Karthikeyan became the first India to ever win an A1GP race.

Team India is in 10th position after four rounds and six weekends and 12 races are still left in the competition.

Chennai-based Karthikeyan, who turns 31 next month, said he was not disappointed on Williams not continuing him as test driver.

''This is not the end of my career. My management thought it is not good to remain only as a test driver (in Williams), so I did not continue.

''A1GP gave a great platform for me and Team India. The team has been built around me and I am happy to bring laurels for the country.

''I thought I needed some rest and A1GP came and I grabbed the opportunity,'' said Karthikeyan whose last win before Zhuhai came in World Series with Nissan in October 2004.

The first Formula One driver from India said he was not disappointed on not being offered for a driver's seat in Force One, 50 per cent owned by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya.

''It is not the end of the world. They offered a driver's seat five month's ago after Silverstone race. It was Spyker then. I and my management thought it was not the right time.'' Karthikeyan said his Team India was shaping up well and have sorted out the technival glitches faced in the first three races of the A1GP season.

''Our qualifying races in the first three rounds were poor. But everything has fallen into place in the fourth race (in Zhuhai). We have improved our pitch stops and other problems.

''It's great we ended the year on a high and we are confident of doing well next year with six rounds to go.'' Karthikeyan also disclosed that he is earning more money in A1GP circuit than in Formula One.

''A1GP is more lucrative for me than F1. I am earning more money in A1GP.

''A sportsman has a shelf life and I undersatnd that one has to earn money when the going is good,'' he said.

UNI
Story first published: Tuesday, August 22, 2017, 12:16 [IST]
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