A1-GP is Last Resort for Karthikeyan
Narain Karthikeyan, who became India’s first Formula One driver in 2005, will race in the A1 grand prix race in New Zealand on Sunday.
Karthikeyan, who was signed up by the then Jordan team, is now a test driver with Williams.
“I’m very proud to drive for my country in A1GP,” he said in a team statement. “(Team boss) Frank Williams has kindly agreed for me to race, but my Formula 1 testing duties for Williams will always be my number one priority.”
Team India officials turned to Karthikeyan after failing to score a point in the first five races of the 12-race calendar.
The driver had spurned previous offers from A1, saying he wanted to regain a regular drive with an established F1 team.
However, he has not been successful in his bid and said he took up the offer to get a chance to race again.
“In recent months, I have had several offers to drive in America and Japan, but I chose A1GP because the race schedule does not clash with my Formula 1 commitments.
“I hope that I can help A1 Team India improve its performance in the series, as well as heighten its profile back home.”
Narain Karthikeyan, A1GP, Grand Prix of Nations, F1, Formula One, Sports, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Asian MotorSports Blog
I disagree with your opinion. Narain is getting a good financial package and his current contract with Williams is better than him driving for the back of the pack (although it can be argued that Williams in 06 was in the bottom).
Besides, Narain has a racing school and such exposure could only help.
Your right to disagree of course.
The financial package you note is the only reason he’s has any connection to F1. At least for now.
The same package has landed him in A1GP. Admittedly, he’s probably the most talented Indian driver but at least for the foreseeable future, if ever, it isn’t enough to land another F1 ride.
Testing the new “monster ID” function for comments.
It displays a new monster image based on a commenters IP address (or optionally email addy) and can be downloaded here.