Force India team boss Vijay Mallya says he would have considered replacing Adrian Sutil or Giancarlo Fisichella had the quality of talent emerging from GP2 been higher.
The billionaire entrepreneur emphasised that he remained committed to developing Indian Formula 1 stars, but didn't decided that for the time being Fisichella and Sutil – whose contract extensions were confirmed on Sunday – remained a better option than any of the young drivers on the cusp of F1.
He told reporters in India that neither former Jordan driver Narain Karthikeyan nor GP2 racer Karun Chandhok, who had a disappointing 2008 season, were realistic candidates for Force India F1 seats.
"In my F1 context, Narain doesn’t fit in," Mallya was quoted as saying by the Asian Age.
"When it comes to Karun Chandhok, I have not let my personal relationship come in between.
"Among a billion Indians, I am sure there will be at least one Lewis Hamilton.
"Only the lack of suitable replacements has forced [Force India] to retain the same team for 2009.
"The normally expected GP2 graduation didn’t happen this time."
Mallya added that his team was also set to start a driver development programme in India in the hope of nurturing its own stars as McLaren had with Hamilton.
"Force India will bear all expenses of the driver starting from karting to F1," he said.
"Karts will be imported from foreign countries and we will provide the youngsters the best platform."