Narain Karthikeyan

Indian racecar driver

Kumar Ram Narain Karthikeyan is a racing driver. He was born on 14 January 1977 in Coimbatore, India.[1] He is the first Formula One driver from India.[2] He made his Formula One debut in 2005 with the Jordan team. In January 2011, he was signed to drive for the Hispania Racing team in the 2011 Formula One season.

Narain Karthikeyan
Karthikeyan at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix.
NationalityIndia Indian
BornKumar Ram Narain Karthikeyan
(1977-01-14) 14 January 1977 (age 47)
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Awards
2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Most Popular Driver
Formula One World Championship career
Active years2005, 20112012
TeamsJordan, HRT
Entries48 (46 starts)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points5
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry2005 Australian Grand Prix
Last entry2012 Brazilian Grand Prix
NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series career
9 races run over 1 year
2010 position30th
First race2010 Kroger 250 (Martinsville)
Last race2010 Mountain Dew 250 (Talladega)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years2009
TeamsKolles
Best finish7th in LMP1 (2009)
Class wins0

Early career

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Karthikeyan was born to Telugu speaking parents in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. His father was a former Indian national rally champion. He is also related to the late S. Karivardhan. Karivardhan was India's most famous racing driver before Karthikeyan. Karthikeyan finished on the podium in his first ever race, at Sriperumpudur. He then went onto the Elf Winfield Racing School in France. He returned to India to race in Formula Maruti for the 1993 season. He also competed in the Formula Vauxhall Junior championship in Great Britain.

In 1994, Karthikeyan returned to the UK. He raced in the Formula Ford Zetec series. He also took part in the British Formula Ford Winter Series, and became the first Indian to win any championship in Europe.

In 1995, Karthikeyan moved up to the Formula Asia Championship. In 1996, he became the first Indian and the first Asian to win the Formula Asia International series. He moved back to Britain in 1997. There he competed in the British Formula Opel Championship with the Nemesis Motorsport team.

In 1998, Karthikeyan made his debut in the British Formula Three Championship with the Carlin Motorsport team. He earned two third place finishes in the final two races of the season, and finished 12th overall. In 1999, he finished on the podium five times, including two wins. His season also included two pole positions, three fastest laps and two lap records. Karthikeyan finished sixth in the championship. He also competed in the Macau Grand Prix.

Karthikeyan started 2001 in the Formula Nippon F3000 Championship. He became the first Indian to ever drive a Formula One car, testing for the Jaguar Racing team at Silverstone on 14 June 2001. Karthikeyan was offered a test drive in the Jordan-Honda

In 2002, he moved into the Telefonica World Series. He stayed with the series in 2003, which was now called the Superfund Word Series. Karthikeyan received another Formula One test drive with the Minardi team. He was offered a race drive for the 2004 season. Karthikeyan was unable to raise the sponsorship funds needed to complete the deal. During 2004, he married Pavarna.

He continued in the World Series by Nissan in 2004. Karthikeyan as won championships in British Formula 3, Formula Nippon, Formula Nissan (now merged as Formula Renault).

Formula One career

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Karthikeyan locking his brakes during qualifying at the 2005 United States Grand Prix

On 1 February 2005, Karthikeyan announced that he had signed the preliminary deal with Jordan Formula One team. He said that he would be their main driver for the 2005 Formula One season. This would make him India's first Formula One racing driver. His partner was the Portuguese driver, Tiago Monteiro.

His first race was the 2005 Australian Grand Prix. Karthikeyan qualified in 12th position and finished in 15th, two laps down. He earned his first points in the 2005 United States Grand Prix. In that race, most of the teams pulled over an issue of tyre safety. Only six car ran in the race, and Karthikeyan finished fourth. Other than the USGP, his highest finish was 11th place.

The Jordan team was taken over and renamed Midland for the 2006 season. Karthikeyan left the new team. On 27 January 2006, Williams confirmed Karthikeyan as their fourth driver.[3] He stayed as a reserve test driver for Williams for the 2006 season.

On 6 January 2011, Karthikeyan announced that he will drive for the Hispania team in the 2011 season,[4] Karthikeyan confirmed the deal via his Twitter page. He said it would "be a dream come true to race in front of the home crowd in the Indian GP in October." He adding that the support of financial backers Tata Group had been "instrumental." [5]

Other events

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In the 2007 season, Karthikeyan drove for the A1 Team India. He made his A1 GP debut in New Zealand and he finished 10th in the sprint race and 7th in the Feature Race.[6]

 
Karthikeyan competing for A1 Team India at the 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, South Africa.

Karthikeyan won the A1GP of Zhuhai (China) for Team India on 16 December 2007. This was team India's first A1GP win.[7] He also earned the first pole position for India for the feature race in Brands Hatch in 2008. Karthikeyan won two feature races in the 2007-2008 season

The 24 Hours of Le Mans

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In March 2009, Karthikeyan tested for the Kolles Le Mans Team. He joined the team, and was partnered with Christijan Albers. They drove Audi R10 turbo diesel cars.[8][9] [10] On 11 May 2009, Karthikeyan finished sixth in his first ever Le Mans series race.[11]

NASCAR

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Karthikeyan made his NASCAR debut at Martinsville Speedway on 27 March 2010 in the Kroger 250 Camping World Truck Series. He drove for Wyler Racing in the #60 Safe Auto Insurance Company Chevrolet Silverado. Because qualifying was rained out, the field set by owner points. Karthikeyan started in the 11th position. He became the first Indian-born driver to compete in NASCAR.[12] Karthikeyan finished on the lead lap in 13th place. Karthikeyan went on to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Most Popular Driver Award for the 2010 season. This award is voted on by the fans.[13]

Superleague Formula

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Narain drove for the PSV team in SFL in 2010. He won the 2nd race at Brands Hatch, Great Britain.

Racing record

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Career summary

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Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2005 Formula One Jordan 19 0 0 0 0 5 18th
2006 Formula One Williams Test driver
2006-07 A1 Grand Prix A1 Team India 10 0 0 0 0 13 16th
2007 Formula One Williams Test driver
2007-08 A1 Grand Prix A1 Team India 18 2 1 0 2 61 10th
2008-09 A1 Grand Prix A1 Team India 12 0 0 0 1 19 12th
2010 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Wyler Racing 9 0 0 NA 0 963 30th
2010 Superleague Formula PSV Eindhoven 12 1 1 0 1 288 16th
2011 Formula One Hispania 8 0 0 0 0 0* 25th*

Team results.
* Season in progress.

  • 2009: 24 Hours of Le Mans and Le Mans Series, Kolles Audi R10 TDI
  • 2004: World Series by Nissan: Formula Nissan World Series (World Series by Nissan), 6th (TATA RC Motorsport)
  • 2003: World Series by Nissan: Formula Nissan World Series (Superfund Word Series), 4th (Carlin Motorsport)
  • 2002: World Series by Nissan: Formula Nissan World Series (Telefónica World Series), 9th (TATA RC Motorsport)
  • 2001: Formula Nippon: Formula Nippon, 14th (Team Impul)
  • 2000: British Formula 3, 4th (Stewart)
  • 1999: British Formula 3, 6th (Carlin Motorsport)
  • 1998: British Formula 3, 12th (Carlin Motorsport)
  • 1997: British Formula Vauxhall, 8th
  • 1996: Formula Asia, Champion
  • 1995: Formula Asia (4 races)
  • 1994: British Formula Ford Winter Series, Champion
  • 1993: Indian Formula Maruti + British Formula Vauxhall Junior
  • 1992: ELF Winfield Racing School, Circuit Paul Ricard, France won debut race Pilote Elf Competition for Formula Renault.

Complete A1 Grand Prix results

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 DC Points
2006–07 A1 Team India NED
SPR
NED
FEA
CZE
SPR
CZE
FEA
CHN
SPR
CHN
FEA
MYS
SPR
MYS
FEA
IDN
SPR
IDN
FEA
NZL
SPR

10
NZL
FEA

7
AUS
SPR

AUS
FEA

RSA
SPR

15
RSA
FEA

9
MEX
SPR

11
MEX
FEA

18
CHN
SPR

7
CHN
FEA

17
GBR
SPR

7
GBR
SPR

4
16th 13
2007–08 NED
SPR

10
NED
FEA

Ret
CZE
SPR

21
CZE
FEA

9
MYS
SPR

11
MYS
FEA

6
CHN
SPR

7
CHN
FEA

1
NZL
SPR

10
NZL
FEA

Ret
AUS
SPR

11
AUS
FEA

11
RSA
SPR
RSA
FEA
MEX
SPR

13
MEX
FEA

9
CHN
SPR

5
CHN
FEA

7
GBR
SPR

5
GBR
SPR

1
10th 61
2008–09 NED
SPR

NED
FEA

CHN
SPR

10
CHN
FEA

10
MYS
SPR

Ret
MYS
FEA

Ret
NZL
SPR

9
NZL
FEA

7
RSA
SPR

6
RSA
FEA

12
POR
SPR

6
POR
FEA

11
GBR
SPR

2
GBR
SPR

Ret
12th 19

Superleague Formula

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(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Operator 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Position Points
2010 PSV Eindhoven Racing for Holland SIL
ASS
MAG
JAR
NÜR
ZOL
BRH
ADR
POR
ORD
BEI
NAV
16th 288
12 15 X 13 9 X 11 15 X 13 16 X 10 14 X 18 1 X

Complete Formula One results

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(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 WDC Points
2005 Jordan Grand Prix Jordan EJ15 Toyota RVX-05 3.0 V10 AUS
15
MAL
11
BHR
Ret
SMR
12
ESP
13
MON
Ret
EUR
16
CAN
Ret
USA
4
FRA
15
GBR
Ret
GER
16
HUN
12
TUR
14
ITA
20
18th 5
Jordan EJ15B BEL
11
BRA
15
JPN
15
CHN
Ret
2011 Hispania Racing F1 Team Hispania F111 Cosworth CA2011 2.4 V8 AUS
DNQ
MAL
Ret
CHN
23
TUR
21
ESP
21
MON
17
CAN
17
EUR
24
GBR 26th 0
HRT Formula 1 Team GER
TD
HUN BEL ITA SIN
TD
JPN
TD
KOR
TD
IND
17
ABU BRA
2012 HRT Formula 1 Team HRT F112 Cosworth CA2012 2.4 V8 AUS
DNQ
MAL
22
CHN
22
BHR
21
ESP
Ret
MON
15
CAN
Ret
EUR
18
GBR
21
GER
23
HUN
Ret
BEL
Ret
ITA
19
SIN
Ret
JPN
Ret
KOR
20
IND
21
ABU
Ret
USA
22
BRA
18
24th 0

* Season in progress.

References

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  1. "Narain Karthikeyan biography". Narainracing.com. 16 November 2007. Archived from the original on 12 April 2011.
  2. Pande, Vinayak (2011-03-16). "Didn't want to spend my life thinking what if: Narain Karthikeyan". Hindustan Times. New Delhi: HT Media Limited. Archived from the original on 2011-03-20. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  3. "Williams Confirms Narain Karthikeyan". NewsOnF1.com. 27 January 2006. Retrieved 4 May 2006.
  4. Noble, Jonathan (6 January 2011). "Karthikeyan signs race deal with HRT". autosport.com. Haymarket. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  5. Weeks, Jimmy (6 January 2011). "KARTHIKEYAN LANDS HISPANIA DRIVE FOR 2011". F1Badger.com. BadgerGP. Archived from the original on 11 January 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  6. "With change of heart, Narain says yes to A-1". Hindustan Times.com. 16 January 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2007.
  7. "India claim first A1GP win". breakingnews.ie. Thomas Crosbie Media. 2007-12-16. Retrieved 2011-03-16.[permanent dead link]
  8. "Karthikeyan invited to Kolles Le Mans test". GPUpdate.net. 4 March 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  9. "Albers signs with Kolles Le Mans team". GPUpdate.net. 1 April 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  10. "Team Kolles confirms drivers and Audi R10 livery". planetlemans.com. 2009-03-31. Archived from the original on 2012-01-27. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  11. "Karthikeyan does well to finish 6th". telegraphindia.com. Calcutta, India: The Telegraph. 2009-05-12. Archived from the original on 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  12. Whirty, Ryan (2010-09-18). "Narain Karthikeyan racing to NASCAR". espn.go.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
  13. Pockrass, Bob (2010-11-23). "TRUCKS: Karthikeyan Series Most Popular Driver". speedtv.com. Speed Channel, Inc. Archived from the original on 2010-12-27. Retrieved 2011-03-16.

Other websites

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