F1 champ Karthikeyan felt this sport especially needs a sound machine coupled with a solid financial backing for a good driver to win.

Narain Karthikeyan, India's flag-bearer in Formula One and ace racer on Friday at Delhi signed a new deal with a smaller Hispania Racing Team for the Formula One's Season 2012. Post signup the 35-year-old racer took time with the waiting media and said in this sport he doesn't think age is a factor. He further went on, that all a driver needs is a good machine and solid financial backing to survive here. He substantiated his claims, "Schumacher (Michael) is 43, drivers like Webber (Mark) and I are in the mid-30s, and there are some of them in the late 30s. So it doesn't really matter as long as your reflexes are sharp, you are fit and have not had a major accident in the past."

Karthikeyan, India's first F1 driver and the only local on the Buddh International Circuit starting grid for the 2011 inaugural Indian GP, featured in only eight races last year. He was replaced mid-way through the season by Daniel Ricciardo, but was put in the driver's seat for October's Indian GP nevertheless, where he finished 17th, one place ahead of Ricciardo, who is touted as a future World Champion.

Karthikeyan says the 2012 target is to take another step in the upward direction, as Hispania came 11th out of 12 teams last year. "It is a completely new car. There are no carry forwards bit from 2011. One hopes the package will be good. Adding to that, it is a new management in Thesan capial. They have put a completely new structure which is like of any of the big teams and it does make a difference. So, it looks quite interesting and competitive," he said
(With inputs from internet: AarKay)