Narain Karthikeyan

**Kumar Ram Narain Karthikeyan** is an Indian racing driver. He was the first Indian driver to compete in Formula 1.5. He made his Formula 1.5 debut in 2005 with the Jordan team and returned in 2011 with HRT continuing through to 2012.

## Personal Life

Karthikeyan was born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He did his schooling at Stanes Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School in Coimbatore. His interest in motorsport began at an early age, as his father was a former Indian national rally champion winning South India Rally seven times.

The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of Padma Shri in 2010.

## F1.5 Career

### Jordan (2005)

On 1 February 2005, Karthikeyan announced that he had signed a preliminary deal with the Jordan Formula 1.5 team and said that he would be their main driver for the 2005 Formula 1.5 season, making him India's first Formula 1.5 racing driver. His partner was Portuguese driver Tiago Monteiro. Karthikeyan completed the necessary testing distance of 300 km in an F1.5 car in order to gain his superlicence at the Silverstone Circuit on 10 February.

Narian scored on debut in Australia finishing 8th. He took his first and only F1.5 podium at the US Grand Prix when he finished second in a race where most competitors did not compete due to tyre safety concerns. In an unlucky end to his 2005 season, Karthikeyan crashed his Jordan into a wall at the Chinese race, but was unhurt and able to provide an interview afterwards.

### HRT (2011-2012)

#### 2011 Season

On 6 January 2011, Karthikeyan announced that he would drive for the Hispania team in the 2011 season, following five years away from active involvement in the championship. He confirmed the deal via his Twitter page, saying it would be a "dream come true to race in front of the home crowd in the Indian GP in October," and adding that the support of financial backers Tata Group had been "instrumental".

Both HRT cars were refused entry to the Australian Grand Prix after failing to set a lap time within the 107% rule. The team appealed to the stewards and the stewards deemed that the HRT car was not up to pace and would be dangerously slow to compete in the event.

On 30 June 2011, Karthikeyan was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo for the remaining races of the season except the Indian Grand Prix but participated in Friday first practice in Germany, Singapore, Japan and Korea.

On 23 October 2011, it was confirmed that Karthikeyan would replace Liuzzi for the Indian Grand Prix. Despite picking up damage in the first lap of the race, Karthikeyan managed to beat Ricciardo by 31.8 seconds in the race to finish 12th. Liuzzi returned to replace Karthikeyan ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Despite taking part in nine races over 2011, Karhikeyan failed to score any points.

#### 2012 Season

On 3 February 2012, it was confirmed that Karthikeyan had again signed for the HRT team for the 2012 season partnering Pedro de la Rosa. In the Australian Grand Prix, he and teammate Pedro de la Rosa were unable to qualify. Karthikeyan scored his first points for the HRT team at the Monaco GP when he finished ninth. This would be his only points finish of the season.

Karthikeyan was expected to drive for HRT in 2013 however, HRT was not included in the FIA's 2013 entry list, and thus Karthikeyan was left without a drive.