Greater Noida: The only Indian driver in the fray in the inaugural Indian Grand Prix on Sunday, Narain Karthikeyan was a very satisfied and relived man despite uncertainty over his future in the next Formula One season.
Karthikeyan could not score any point at India's first-ever F1 Grand Prix because he was never in contention due to a slow car at his disposal, but he says he got the best possible result - a 17th-place finish - after starting last on the grid.
Such was the charm of racing at home that even when he was chasing the cars in front of him, he could not stop himself from looking at Grand Stand to see how much crowd had turned up.
"It was filling with every lap. I could see it. I am really happy that I finished the race and that too ahead of teammate (Daniel Riciardo)," Karthikeyan told PTI after the race.
"It is the best possible result we could have got. I was just half-a second behind the Virgin car. I could have finished 16th," Karthikeyan, India's first ever F1 driver and first to race at the home GP, said.
The 34-year-old was, though, baffled why he was forced to the rear of the grid after qualifying, when it was announced that he would start 23rd.
"They screwed it up. I don't understand what made them do this. Even they are confused."
Asked about his future with Hispania since he will not race for them in the last two races and his contract ends this year, Karthikeyan said he has no idea what will happen.
"We have not discussed that yet. We don't talk about it. Where do we go? I don't know," he said.
He was optimistic, though, that with him getting a lot of mileage with this race, he will get the backing of sponsors.
"I think, it should help," he said.
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