The only Indian driver in the fray, Narain Karthikeyan was a very satisfied and relived man, on Sunday, despite uncertainty over his future in the next Formula One season.
Karthikeyan could not score any point at India's first ever F1 Grand Prix because he was never in contention due to a slow car at this disposal but he got the best possible result - a 17th place - after starting last on the grid.
Such was the charm of racing at home that even when he was chasing the cars in front of him, he could not stop himself from looking at Grand Stand to see how much crowd has turned up.
"It was filling with every lap. I could see it. I am really happy that I finished the race and that too ahead of team-mate (Daniel Riciardo)," Karthikeyan said.
"It is the best possible result we could have got. I was just half-a second behind the Virigin car. I could have finished 16th," Karthikeyan, India's first ever F1 driver and first to race at home GP, said.
The 34-year-old was though baffled why he was forced to the rear of the grid, when it was announced that he would start 23rd.
"They screwed it up. I don't understand what made them do this. Even they are confused."
Asked about his future with Hispania since he will not race for them in the last two races and his contracts ends this year, Karthikeyan said he has no idea what will happen.
"We have not discussed that yet. We don't talk about it. Where do we go? I don't know," he said.
He though was optimistic that with him getting a lot of mileage with this race, he will get the backing of sponsors. "I think, it should help," he said.
