No regrets in staying with HRT: Karthikeyan

India's first Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan doesn't regret his decision to stay with HRT this season. Earlier, Karthikeyan's decision to stick with the Madrid-based team surprised a lot of people but he has said that his team is gradually making progress and he's comfortable dealing with its management.

"We have come a long way since the disappointing season-opener," he told the Deccan Chronicle. "It was a low point as I never thought I would be a spectator in Melbourne. But I never regretted the decision to continue with HRT. The team used to work like a GP2 outfit, but a change in the management has showed that they belong to Formula 1.

"The car has improved a lot compared to last year's, to be precise two seconds faster. It's much more reliable. In the last few races we have proved that our car is quick in qualifying but we haven't yet shown it in a race situation,” he added.

Karthikeyan was also upbeat about the future of HRT. "Exciting time ahead as the team is working on several upgrades. Mechanically the car looks fine now; so the team's focus is on bringing more changes in the aerodynamics when the season resumes after a month-long break at Belgian GP in the first week of September,” he said. “We are expected to run a lot closer to Marussia. I am excited about the upgrades especially with the Indian GP scheduled for the second half of the season."

The 35-year-old was looking forward to the German Grand Prix and aiming to give their rivals Marussia a tough fight. "It will be my first outing at Hockenheim’s new circuit which is quite different to the old one,” he said. “It used to be quick but now it is slower and a high-downforce track, it is also quite short, not too complicated and very stop-and-go. We have been working on improving our race pace and this weekend we are aiming to give our main rivals (Marussia) a fight throughout."

When asked about his future in the sport, Karthikeyan said: "Formula One is a complicated business, but I would love remain with HRT as I am very comfortable dealing with this management. I know the team's plans for the 2013 car and it's expected to be much more advanced. So I am excited about it."