Force India move for Narain would be great: Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton (right) of Great Britain and McLaren and Narain Karthikeyan (left) of India and Hispania Racing Team drive side by side at the statrt of the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park circuit on May 8, 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey

New Delhi - McLaren’s Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton says it is unfortunate that Narain Karthikeyan is in a slower car and a move to Sahara Force India could do wonders for him and India.

“It is unfortunate that Narain is driving a slow car. Probably, it would do wonders if he were in Force India which is a pretty good team. It would be a good stepping stone for him,” said Hamilton here on Wednesday when asked about the current HRT driver racing for an Indian team.

Karthikeyan’s best highest finish this year was 15th at the Monaco Grand Prix.

“I am a Brit driving for a British team in a British car and it has done wonders for us so I hope it would be the same for him and India.”

However, Force India co-owner and team principal Vijay Mallya has always been reluctant about having an Indian driver in his team.

Talking about Sunday’s Indian Grand Prix, Hamilton said tyre degradation and overtaking possibilities will be the two marked features of the race.

“The Buddh International Circuit (BIC) is fast. The first sector is fast while the latter half is of medium-to-low speed. Degradation of rear tyres was an issue last year and we hope to cope with it. BIC is demanding when it comes to the tyres.

“Overtaking possibilities will be better this year before of longer DRS zones. The long straights in the first sector will help overtaking as well,” said the 2008 World Champion.

“Last year the track and the surroundings were not 100 percent complete as the organisers had to bring in a lot of last minute rush-in adjustments. This time I expect everything to be great.”

When asked about India growing as a Formula 1 destination, the McLaren driver said: “I think good racing will pull the crowds here. Some destinations like Singapore, Spain, Canada – the races make the city come alive because of the fans. It is they who make it special. More and more people now understand what Formula 1 is. The following and the understanding is growing here.”