Narain Karthikeyan says he will return to F1 with HRT
2011 F1 season
Narain Karthikeyan, Williams, 2006
Former F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan claims he will make a comeback with HRT in 2011.
Karthikeyan told Autocar India he will be on the grid in time for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix this year:
I have worked really hard to come back to F1 and it will be a dream come true to race in front of the home crowd in our country’s debut Grand Prix. I hope that the Indian public will spur me on with their blessings and good wishes.
Narain Karthikeyan
Karthikeyan previously raced in F1 with Jordan in 2005. The team was run by current HRT team principal Colin Kolles at the time. Karthikeyan later joined Williams as a reserve driver.
Karthikeyan said on Twitter:
Back in F1 in 2011. Signed a deal to race for HRT. I’ve always maintained that my time in F1 was not over and now making good on that promise.
Huge thanks to my long-time supporters in the Tata Group. Their support has been instrumental.
Narain Karthikeyan
Fellow Indian Karun Chandhok drove for HRT in the first half of 2010.
View the list of 2011 F1 drivers and teams.
- Razia and Valsecchi to be Lotus reserve drivers
- Pedro de la Rosa rejoins McLaren as reserve
- HRT confirm Liuzzi as Karthikeyan’s team mate
- Di Resta to race for Force India, Hülkenberg to test
- Fairuz Fauzy joins Renault as reserve driver for 2011
- HRT confirm Karthikeyan in team for 2011
- Renault set date for ‘Lotus Renault GP R31′ launch
- Force India to launch VJM04 at Jerez test
- Petrov to remain at Renault in 2011 and 2012
- Jerome d’Ambrosio to drive for Virgin in 2011
Image © Williams/LAT
HounslowBusGarage said on 6th January 2011, 17:28
When was the last time Narain actually drove an F1 car? And does he still have a Super Licence?
Anshumaan Tuteja said on 6th January 2011, 17:44
he has the bank balance..that will do lool
Nathan said on 6th January 2011, 17:49
Well go for him…
sw6569 (@sw6569) said on 6th January 2011, 17:51
…am I the only one who thought he wasn’t actually that bad? Certainly not Yamamoto or Nakajima ‘bad’
Tom L. (@tom-l) said on 6th January 2011, 19:47
Nakajima is better in my opinion. I can’t imagine Karthikeyan scoring as many (few?) points for Williams, I must admit.
Dev (@dev) said on 6th January 2011, 17:52
good for him, but at one point he did say sometime around 2008 he was not keen on joining the back-markers like force india. now he is paying for a drive with HRT.
Antranik (@antranik) said on 6th January 2011, 18:05
OH GOD NOT THIS GUY!
Dutch_Alex said on 6th January 2011, 18:10
Fixed the quote;). This will probably mean we won’t see Chandok at HRT again, or maybe as a test driver so they can have two indian drivers at the indian grand prix.
silencer said on 6th January 2011, 18:19
okay.. they have one driver
but do they have the car to begin with?
Aetost said on 6th January 2011, 18:22
It’s great to see another
wealthygreat driver back to the top level! It is always refreshing to seeold also-runsyoung guns fill the seats of such abadpromising racing outfit. I hope Narain will be able to keep thecash flowhigh level performances constant, or he is bound to be replaced by anotherpaytalented driver long before the Indian GP…Victor. said on 6th January 2011, 18:29
This is beyond hilarious.
Icthyes (@icthyes) said on 6th January 2011, 18:45
Forget the silly season, now it’s time for the absolutely ridiculous season. Article 151c, anyone?
sato113 said on 8th January 2011, 14:33
lol, i take it thats the one concerning bringing the sport into disrepute?
Polishboy808 said on 6th January 2011, 18:49
This is a disaster, one of the all time worst drivers is coming back. This is going to end very badly.
joac21 (@joac21) said on 6th January 2011, 19:04
every day i hear something from hrt i like them less
Rob Wilson said on 6th January 2011, 19:04
Why not Karun Chandhok?
dp said on 7th January 2011, 4:54
Why the token Indian?
Because there is a Indian GP?
Why not the best drivers that are available in the world?
F1, is the Sport of Whores!
It is not about racing anymore, that died years ago. F1 does not deserve the loyal support that it receives.
Eric said on 7th January 2011, 7:39
F1 has always been the sport of whores. There have been pay drivers and privateers as long as the championship has existed. I remember a young Micheal Schumacher paying for his first drive. That being said he wasn’t a drop out having another go.
To be honest I’m surprised this team is going to make it to the grid next year.
james_mc said on 6th January 2011, 19:07
This has actually amused me quite a lot. At least this means that HRT are likely to make it to the grid next season :-)
dave said on 6th January 2011, 19:11
I expect to see taki inoue in the other HRT
Monad (@monad) said on 6th January 2011, 19:19
Wow! How did you even remembered that guy?
Tom L. (@tom-l) said on 6th January 2011, 19:53
Being hit by the safety car is probably the only way HRT could sink lower…
GeeMac (@geemac) said on 6th January 2011, 21:08
Or Paul Belmondo…
Rob A said on 6th January 2011, 22:10
Got to be Jean-Denis Deletraz, surely!
Kate said on 6th January 2011, 23:25
Chanoch Nissany, who remembers him?