The future prospects of Narain Karthikeyan participating in the global motor sporting spectacle – FIA's Formula 1 Championship, look both bleak and uninspiring. Karthikeyan is the only Indian race driver in Formula 1 and a member of team HRT.
Evidently, Karthikeyan's team HRT was not present on the list of participating teams for next season 2013, which was released by FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile). The published list featured on FIA's website included just 22 cars after November 30, 2012, which was also the last day for teams to pay their entry amount of $ 500,000.
Reportedly, the team HRT was experiencing plenty of off-circuit issues, since its owner Thesan Capital put them up for sale in November 2012. Without an owner, the team HRT's future prospects looked blank in the Formula 1 landscape. The team failed to attract any sponsor for paying the participation fees and as of now, is out of next season's Formula 1 championship. Hence, there are great odds that Karthikeyan might miss the next season of Formula 1.
Earlier during Indian Grand Prix held in late October 2012, Karthikeyan had hinted that his future in the world's most expensive motor sport appeared doubtful. Commenting on his upcoming plans with team HRT, Karthikeyan said, “The plan for me was to stay with HRT for 2013 as it was looking good all along. As a team we have been making progress and the design for the 2013 car is reasonably competitive. I was quite sure of everything being in place and thus there was no Plan B.”
Evidently, Karthikeyan has also enjoyed a small stint in the America's favourite motor sport - National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) in 2010. Later that season, Karthikeyan came back to Formula 1 with team HRT, with an aim to remodel his childhood dream of competing in F1. Further, Karthikeyan was quoted as saying, “I may be forced to look beyond F1 now so looks like it is going to be a very busy off-season.”
With the uncertain future of Spanish origin HRT in the next edition of Formula 1 motor sport, Karthikeyan may be left with no other option but to switch his team, in order to continue his dream run. However, it is going to be interesting to see whether any team comes out in support of the Indian motor sporting exponent who failed to manage a single point this season.
