F1 rookie Karun Chandok has paid more than $500,000 a lap to drive for HRT so far, according to reports.
The Indian failed to feature in any of the practice sessions in Bahrain, then completed minimal running in qualifying and crashed out on the second lap of the race.
His sponsors are reported to have paid $5 million to secure him the drive for the season, meaning the nine laps he has completed have cost them in excess of $500,000 so far.
The Hispania Racing Team is one of the three new teams on the 2010 grid, and came close to folding before the season.
