Indian Formula 1 race fans are facing a long wait for another driver from India to break into the pinnacle of the sport, Karun Chandhok has warned.
Not too long ago, both Chandhok and Narain Karthikeyan were representing the populous nation on the grid.
Now, they have been priced out of the market.
“Formula 1 is Formula 1, everyone knows the financial situation,” Chandhok, who now races in Le Mans-style sports cars, told the Press Trust of India.
“Formula 1 is difficult at the moment unless you have millions.”
The 29-year-old lamented that, while he and Karthikeyan are locked outside of Formula 1, there are no countryman poised to take their place in representing India.
“(The) next Formula 1 driver from India? At the moment don’t see anyone else,” said Chandhok.
“If any Indian has to be in Formula 1 in future it would be either me or Narain.
“To be able to do well in Formula 1, you need to win in Europe and so far only I and Narain have been able to win in GP2, A1GP and Formula 3.
“No other Indian has been able to do it. Have you seen anyone in the junior ranks? There are a few but no one is winning,” he added. (GMM)