HRT confirm Karthikeyan for 2012

HRT have confirmed that Narain Karthikeyan will drive for the team this season - thus completing the full driver line-up for the 2012 campaign.

HRT have confirmed that Narain Karthikeyan will drive for the team this season - thus completing the full driver line-up for the 2012 campaign. In a surprise announcement, the team revealed that the Indian driver will return for a second season to partner new recruit Pedro de la Rosa, leaving the the likes of Tonio Liuzzi, who held the seat last season, and Vitaly Petrov without a drive. With Pedro the grand old age of 40 and Narain having turned 35 last month, it means HRT will start the season with what is by far the oldest driver pairing on the grid. Karthikeyan became India's first F1 driver when he raced for Jordan in 2005 and made a surprise comeback with HRT last season, initially in the capacity of a race driver before the team signed Daniel Ricciardo from the British GP onwards - although he did return at the Indian GP, where he made history as the first and only Indian to take part in the inaugural event. With one of HRT's two race seats now his again for 2012, the 35-year-old is thrilled to be back on the grid. "It has taken a lot of hard work to make this happen but I am absolutely elated to feature on the 2012 grid with HRT F1 Team. I was pleased with our strong performance at the Indian Grand Prix, in front of my passionate home fans and I look forward to building on this result in 2012. I have been training hard since the end of 2011, ensuring I was ready for the rigours of F1 if an opportunity arose," said Karthikeyan. "I am delighted to have signed with HRT F1 Team. With the new management, Pedro, and the team, there is definite potential for progress." Karthikeyan admits the continued presence of a driver from his country on the F1 grid is important if the sport's profile in India is to continue to grow. "We need to understand that F1 is new to India, we hosted our first race only last year which was a resounding success," he added. "To build on that momentum, an Indian driver will certainly keep the interest engaged throughout the season. I am proud to secure an opportunity to forge a stronger connection between India and Formula 1 once again".