Vijay Mallya may not think so, but Karun Chandhok tells Mobile ESPN’s Bhagya Ayyavoo that he is prepared to race the best.

Bhagya Ayyavoo: Your first reaction on F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's comments that you belong to F1...

Karun Chandhok: Ya, it's nice to hear the boss of Formula One say that he would like to see me in his championship you know. It's very encouraging to hear that I have his support. Bernie has been good to me professionally and as a friend to my family. It's nice to see we have a company to hope for.

BA: How prepared are you to enter F1 now?

KC: I feel very optimistic. If I have the opportunity to race in F1, I can do a good job. I'm quite prepared, I think mentally. I think in 2008, I have come of age a little bit as a driver, a little bit more about how you need to work with the top team. I have tested with Red Bull racing on a few occasions in F1 so I have got an idea of what I want. And now I want more of it. You know, I feel...like I'm ready for F1. Unfortunately, it doesn't look there's any seat available for 2009. I don't mind waiting for another year.

BA: Vijay Mallya said you and Narain Karthikeyan don't fit the bill for Force India now. Are you hurt?

KC: (After a very diplomatic pause) I said before there is no seat available with Force India for 2009. There's nothing I can say about the team now (laughs). I will be racing in GP2 in 2009 and hope to get the best out of it. Vijay Mallya already has two drivers lined up for next year, that's fair enough. We just have to see what we can do in the mean time.

BA: Do you see yourself being a part of Force India in the future?

KC: Yes, why not? As I said, my ultimate aim is Formula One. I believe I'm good enough to be there. Obviously, it's nice to hear that people like Bernie as well agree with me. Obviously, Vijay has got his two drivers next year, so I just got to do the best job I can and convince him that I need to be a part of it in the future.

BA: Your take on Narain Karthikeyan calling Force India a "pedestrian team low on performance and loud on talk."

KC: That's Narain's opinion in the matter. For me, I have been around F1 a little bit more than he has in the last two years. I think there is a lot of potential at Force India, to be honest. I think the team's deal in place for 2009 and beyond with McLaren Mercedes. I think the partnership is a very good step for them. I do believe Force India will take a step forward in 2009.

BA: Plans and preparations for 2009?

KC: Looks like I'm going to come back and do GP2 again, which I think is the best feeder series for F1. We have seen a lot of drivers from GP2 go into F1. Obviously, we race on the same day, the same weekend, on the same circuits, so you learn a lot about how Formula One works as well. I have had success in the championship, I have won races, and I have had podiums in traffic circuits like Spa, Monaco, Silverstone. I'm confident that given the right opportunity with the right team, in the right environment, there's no reason why we can't be running at the front again.

BA: New wishes?

KC: I would like to wish everybody a very happy New Year and I hope you all carry on supporting us. The more quicker we can get watching the sport and watching less cricket, I think is good for us (chuckles)!