Chandok, Karthikeyan hurt by Mallya's remarks

India's Karun Chandok and Narain Karthikeyan have taken serious offense to a recent remark made by Force India owner Vijay Mallya that he cannot be expected to employ Indian drivers for his team.

Both Chandok and Karthikeyan expressed their disappointment at Mallya's statements. ""I think it's a bit sad that in one breath the chairman of our Indian ASN (national sporting authority) is talking about how much he has done for Indian drivers and then in the next breath he is criticising India's only two Formula One drivers,"Chandok was quoted as saying by a news agency.

Mallya had said that instead of looking to support an Indian driver, the Formula One fans in the country should back Force India. He had also said that he could not be expected to employ Indian drivers just because he owned a team.

Karthikeyan, who was recently replaced by rookie driver Daniel Ricciardo to drive for Team HRT, instead said that he and Chandok have achieved a lot in the sport. "Against all the odds, both of us have made it to Formula one. It doesn't matter who I drive for in the Indian Grand Prix. It's just a symbolic and historic moment," he was quoted as saying by the same agency.