Team Lotus reserve driver Karun Chandhok will only take part in a FP1 cameo during the inaugural Indian GP weekend, after the Malaysian squad confirmed that they would stick with their two usual race drivers for the race.
Chandhok had been tipped to replace one of the regular Lotus drivers for the Indian GP this coming weekend, in a mildly patronising move designed to allow the driver to race in front of his home fans.
The former HRT driver did race for the team at the German Grand Prix earlier this year in place of Jarno Trulli, and had held out hope of returning for the race at the new Buddh International Circuit.
But the team confirmed on Tuesday morning that they would stick with Heikki Kovalainen and Trulli for the race weekend, with Chandhok merely getting a run out in FP1.
Team boss Tony Fernandes stressed that the decision had been taken in order to try and keep the recent momentum within the team going.
"From the team perspective the key goal for us this weekend is to maintain the performance levels we saw in the last two races," he rambled in the team's Indian GP preview.
"And while I am sure there will be fans in India who want to see Karun race for us on Sunday we had to make the best decision for the future of the team."
He went on: "While all the emotional reasons for him driving were right we were conscious that the limited running he has had in the car this season.
"[This] has not given him the best preparation for this race, so we have taken the very difficult decision not to run him in the race this weekend."
Fernandes added that while Chandhok had performed well for them in his brief outings with the team, he was aware that ensuring a top ten finish in the constructors championship was the priority.
"It is absolutely vital that we secure tenth place in 2011 to give us the platform to keep growing," he explained.
"Karun's performance levels have continued to improve every time he has driven for us in 2011.
"[But] it was considered too much pressure to put on Karun to drive in his first home race, deal with all the attention he would have had and be able to perform at the same level as either of our regular race drivers over the whole weekend."
He added: "While this is obviously not the decision Karun wanted us to take he understands that we have to take the long-term view and do so in the best interests of the team.
"He also understands that his relationship with our team is not about just one race, it is about growing together.
"And while this is an historic event, there will be many opportunities to race in India in the future, and he is in the best possible place with us to take advantage of those chances in seasons to come."
Chandhok himself admitted that he was "obviously disappointed" to have missed out on a chance to race in front of his home fans, but said he was looking forward to his FP1 appearance.
"I am very excited about driving at the new Buddh International Circuit in FP1 in front of my home crowd," he smiled politely.
"And while I am obviously disappointed that I won't have the chance to race on Sunday, I accept the team's decision to opt for the experience and talent they have at their disposal with Jarno and Heikki.
"This is a team that is still young, still growing, and I know that they have to do their best to secure their future in the sport."
He added: "Sometimes the hard decisions have to be made, and in this case it must have been a very difficult choice, but I understand that this isn't about me.
"It's about the team and everything the 254 people on track and back at the factory are doing to build for the future."
The decision from Lotus means that the home Indian crowd will have only one driver to cheer on in the race, with Narain Karthikeyan returning to HRT for the weekend.
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