Narain Karthikeyan didn't have the greatest of years with HRT in 2011, but he's decided to spend another year with the Spanish squad in search of better things. He tells Edd Straw why.

There is no harsher environment than the rear of the Formula 1 grid when it comes to the piercing glare of public perception.

Those struggling at the back in sub-par machinery are badly exposed. Doing a great job might leave you on the 11th row of the grid, and a mediocre job right at the back, but to the watching world you are often dismissed as a no-hoper. Usually, you will only get air-time when being lapped or something has gone wrong, making you appear more of a nuisance than a true competitor.

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