Narain Karthikeyan says he is still focused on making a return to the Formula 1 grid, admitting that he is hankering after the chance to be at least considered for a third driver role.
The 30-year-old spent a season as race driver at Jordan in 2005 – becoming the first Indian to race in F1 in the process – before joining Williams in a testing capacity for both 2006 and 2007.
Kartikeyan now represents his nation in A1GP and took a first win for India in the 'Nation versus Nation' series in the feature race last time at Zhuhai, a performance he feels shows he could still do a job in F1.
"I was just doing testing and had ample time on my side so I wanted a challenge to keep racing," he told
Reuters. This A1 GP victory is very essential, so that you can shut up the critics. F1 is not the end of the world, I still have time on my side.
"Definitely, there is an unfinished business in F1. There is still time, it will happen sooner rather than later.
"A1 GP for me is not a step back, only a step to the side. I race as hard as possible and try and achieve the best."
Karthikeyan added that he didn't feel his age would prevent him from getting another crack at the big time, despite the current number of young drivers – like Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen and Nelson Piquet – getting their chance in F1.
"There are lot of drivers who are past 33 in F1," he said. "I just rubbish that thing about age. If you're 37 or 38 then you have a reason.
"This is just speculation and some cynicism from people."
India now its own team on the Formula 1 grid after Vijay Mallya purchased the Spyker team, although Kartkikeyan isn't among the drivers to have tested for the Silverstone-based squad.
