Jordan hires Indian driver
From correspondents in London
February 4, 2005

NARAIN Karthikeyan has been confirmed as the first Indian driver in Formula One.

He was named overnight, along with Tiago Monteiro from Portugal, as Jordan's drivers for the 2005 world championship.

Karthikeyan, backed by huge sponsorship from the sub-continent and known as the "fastest Indian in the world", has been a long time associate of Trevor Carlin, Jordan's new sporting director.

"I know Narain very well because he drove for me in 1998 in Formula 3 and I have run him in various formulas every year since then. Weve won a lot of races together," said Carlin.

"He's very competitive, a super-quick driver, sometimes a little bit raw and wild in his style but he is a proven race winner and I am confident that in our environment he will thrive. He's ready for F1 now I think he'll do a good job for us."

Karthikeyan, 28, announced earlier in the week that he had received an offer to drive for Jordan, recently taken over by Midland group - owned by tycoon Alexander Shnaider - after previous owner Eddie Jordan sold up.

"My aim has always been to compete in F1, it is where no Indian driver has been before," said Karthikeyan.

"I've got the hopes of a nation behind me so I've no choice but to succeed now. I have tested with three different Formula 1 teams at various circuits and I'm going to give it everything I've got so I am confident that this is going to be a good year for me."

Monteiro enters the world championship having taken part in the Nissan Dallara World Series last year.

"Tiago has also raced for me before," said Carlin.

"He raced in the Nissan Dallara World Series last season and finished second in the championship, winning five races – he did a fantastic job. He is a super-professional and as a driver he's very good technically, we will see him work well with the team to get the best out of the car and improve it.

"He's extremely fit and has a very good race pace, rarely makes mistakes and brings us a very technically competent, polished and consistent package.

"This is the chance for him to prove himself and make people notice him. He's ready to make a big impression.

"We have been very lucky to put together a driver line-up which gives us a really strong package in terms of youth, technical ability, speed and talent."

Karthikeyan and Monteiro will make their debuts in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 6.

One of India's largest private sector companies, the Tata Group, as well as state-owned refinery Bharat Petroleum Corporation will sponsor Karthikeyan, while talks are on with tyre company JK Tyres.

"Narain will make his foray into Formula One racing. Money is a subsidiary consideration. The most important thing is that Narain will realise his dreams," said Romit Chaterji, vice-president of Tata Services.

Karthikeyan has already test driven for Jaguar, and was the first Indian to drive a Formula One car professionally last year for Red Bull in the World Series by Nissan. He was offered the chance to drive for Minardi in 2003, but was unable to raise enough in sponsorship money to secure the offer from Australian Paul Stoddart's team.

Agence France-Presse