Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan is looking to shift gears

With the first half of the Formula One season over, Narain Karthikeyan has charted out a plan to make the most of the remaining nine races and improve upon his qualifying performances for the Hispania Racing Team (HRT).

Narain has had some decent results in the races so far with Monaco being the best where the Indian ace finished 15th.

Into his second season with the HRT, Narain knows what the car and the team is all about, and what to expect in the next few races which also include driving in front of the home crowd during the Indian Grand Prix.

'The second half of the season should be interesting. I haven't been doing well enough in the qualifying and that's one area where I am struggling,' Narain told Mail Today.

'During this break, I have changed my approach and have been analysing a lot of data with the engineers, which should help me in the remaining races. Hopefully, I'll be able to make all that count,' he stressed.

Besides experience, performance in the qualifying is one area which separates Narain from teammate Pedro de La Rosa, who looks far more settled with the Pirelli-McLaren tyres.

'There's everything to learn from Pedro's vast experience. The Pirelli-McLaren tyres have been quite difficult and they have been specifically designed to make the races interesting. It is one of the reasons why this season has been so exciting. A lot depends on tyre pressure and temperature and all these aspects need to be taken care of,' reckoned the Indian.

Although HRT has been far away from finishing among the points, Narain feels the new car and the changes it has undergone could give the team the necessary boost.

'Some changes were made in the car. The new factory in Madrid has just been completed and it is nothing less than any other Formula One team.

"It took time to get familiar with the changes and to get used to them (changes). Things will surely improve in the season ahead.'

Being realistic about his team's chances, Narain says if he is able to finish all his races and improves upon his qualifying results, he will be a satisfied man when the Championship comes to an end this season.

Out of the nine races left in the season, Narain will also get a chance to drive in front of his home crowd at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida in October.

At the inaugural Formula One race in India last year, Narain had a decent success with a 17th-place finish. He rates the BIC as one of his favourite circuit and hopes to come up with an even better show this season.

'It's one of the best circuit and at par with the best circuits of the world. I expect it to be in even better shape than what it was last year like the pit complex would be nice this time. It always feels good to drive in front of the home crowd and I would like to have a better finish than the last time,' added Narain.

Narain also believes that with India now having its own Grand Prix, the perception for motor racing in the country has changed a lot in the last few years.

'Definitely, things have improved a lot. The exposure level has changed manifolds with motor racing in various categories.

'India is a huge manufacturing hub of cars and people understand now that it's a serious business. We already have so many manufacturers and I know two more manufacturers are also coming into the scene,' Narain pointed.