A month before the first Indian grand prix, F1’s complete driver lineup for the Delhi race is not yet clear.
At HRT, Narain Karthikeyan’s sponsors have paid to put the Indian back in a race car for the country’s inaugural F1 event, but who his teammate will be is not publicly known.
Karthikeyan began 2011 alongside Vitantonio Liuzzi, whose manager said recently the Italian has a solid contract for every grand prix this season.
In the other car now is Daniel Ricciardo, thanks to a collaboration deal between the struggling Spanish team and the Australian rookie’s backer Red Bull.
The 22-year-old will be in Delhi this weekend to demonstrate a Red Bull F1 car.
He confirmed to the Times of India that he will be returning in late October "for the race".
"I will probably spend some time in the city and have a look around and then get down to business," said Ricciardo.
HRT has been contacted for comment.
At Team Lotus, meanwhile, rumours are still swirling that team regular Jarno Trulli will sit it out so that India’s other F1 driver can race in Delhi.
"Hopefully when the time comes I will be sitting on the grid waiting for the lights to go green," reserve driver Karun Chandhok told the Daily Pioneer on a visit to the Buddh circuit this week.