Chandhok: No Force India grudge

Date published : 07 Mar 2010 - 12:09:13

Karun Chandhok says he has no issue with Force India and Vijay Mallya even though the team passed him over for a Formula 1 drive.As one of India's leading motorsport talents, Chandhok has regularly been mentioned in connection with the team that represents the nation in F1.But Mallya always insisted that Chandhok had not yet proved he was ready for the top level, and the 26-year-old will instead make his F1 debut with the new Hispania team.Chandhok insisted he had no reason to bear a grudge against against Mallya though, and remained on good terms with his compatriot."He called me and wished me well," Chandhok told the Deccan Herald. "Force India required something else at that point of time and they have now turned into a very good team. "I hold nothing against Vijay."I wanted to drive in F1 and it didn't matter to me which team I drove for."My priority is to stay in F1 and give it my best."I will consider driving for Force India if an offer does pop up and if they are still on a high, in terms of racing."Chandhok also urged the Indian press not to try to create animosity between him and ex-Jordan driver Narain Karthikeyan, who was India's first F1 driver but whose career has since faded while Chandhok came to prominence."I know now, even as we speak, that there are a number of comparisons being drawn between Narain and me, but I want to clear this out," said Chandhok."He is who he is and I am who I am. We are very different drivers."Narain called me and congratulated me."I'm just happy that I was the one lucky guy in a population of 1.3 billion to make it to the grandest motor sport there can be."I can, without any hesitation, say that my time has come."