Narain Karthikeyan looks set to return to the grid for HRT at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix after securing backing from Indian company Hero Motors.
HRT has yet to confirm the news but a Hero Motors press release said its branding will appear on "Narain's racing car in the grand prix".
Karthikeyan took part in the first eight races of the season before being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo at the British Grand Prix, but has been tipped to return to the grid for his home race. He hopes that the backing from Hero Motors is just the start of wider Indian involvement in Formula One.
"Today is a very important step in the right direction for motor sports in the country," he said. "The sport has come a long way since the day I started racing. Viewership has gone up a lot, and corporate support is now more forthcoming.
"Formula One is in its nascent stage in India with great potential waiting to be explored. I hope with the support from Hero Motors we will be able to scale new milestones in the times to come."
If Karthikeyan does return he is likely to replace Ricciardo as Tonio Liuzzi's manager, Enrico Zanarini, confirmed to ESPNF1 that his driver is contracted to drive in every race this season.
"We have a contract with HRT which includes all races, no exception," Zanarini said.
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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