New HRT signing Karun Chandhok believes his team could be in the points by the end of the season despite having absolutely no pre-season testing behind them.
HRT began its F1 career as Campos Meta, however, financial problems meant was sold in an 11th hour rescue bid. However, that hour came too late for the team participate in pre-season testing.
As such they head to Bahrain for the season opening race without having completed a single lap out on track, which Chandhok concedes will hamper them at the start of the campaign.
But, that doesn't mean they won't come good by the end of it.
"Our goal early on in the season is to show the world that we are a credible company," Chandhok told Indian newspaper the Deccan Herald.
"The focus is to gain some mileage, reliability and experience in the first season.
"We'll probably be off the mark in the first four races but from Catalunya, Spain, we will prove a challenge. You never know, we could also bag some points late in the season."
The 26-year-old is also determined to prove that HRT team boss Colin Kolles was right to put his faith in him after years after trying without any success to break into F1.
"I had a very disappointing 2009 season in GP2 but everyone had already made a note of my potential," said the Indian driver.
"After chasing a (F1) seat for a long time, I finally found a great team to drive with. Colin Kolles has shown a lot of faith in me and it helps to have the backing of someone who has known me for long in a sport like Formula 1."
