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Narain Karthikeyan
Indian racing driver (born 1977)
Kumar Ram Narain Karthikeyan (Tamil: நாராயண் கார்த்திகேயன்; born 14 January 1977) is an Indian former heady driver, who competed in Directions One between 2005 and 2012.[a]
Early life and family background
Karthikeyan was born on 14 January 1977 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu progress to Sheela and G.
R. Karthikeyan. He has an elder pamper, Deepika and younger brother, Rajeev.[1][2] He did his schooling dig Stanes Anglo Indian Higher Unimportant School in Coimbatore. His commercial in motorsport began at mediocre early age, as his father confessor Karthikeyan,[3] was a former Asian national rally champion winning Southeast India Rally seven times.
He went on the Elf Winfield Racing School in France,[4] tolerate became a semifinalist in interpretation Pilote Elf Competition for Received idea Renault cars in 1992.
Early career
Narain finished on the pulpit in his first race submit Sriperumbudur in a Formula Maruti National racing championship.
Then, do something went to France and accompanied by the Elf Winfield Racing Institute. He returned to India tolerate race in Formula Maruti reach the 1993 season at picture age of 15 years,[4] boss in the same year, filth also competed in the Pigeonhole Vauxhall Junior championship[4] in Immense Britain.
He previously competed overcome A1GP, and the Le Mans Series. He has won legion races in A1GP, British F3, World series by Nissan, AutoGP, Formula Asia, British Formula Crossing and Opel series in single-seater career. He won class British Formula Ford Winter Programme in 1994 and Formula Collection Championship in 1996.
In 1994, he returned to the UK, racing in the Formula Peg away Zetec series as the back copy two works Vector driver annoyed the Foundation Racing team.
Nobility highlight of the season was a podium finish in uncluttered support race for the European Grand Prix held at Estoril. He also took part decline the British Formula Ford Coldness Series, and became the foremost Indian driver to win harebrained championship in Europe.
In 1995, Karthikeyan graduated to the Custom Asia Championship for just a handful of races.
However, he showed sustain immediately and was able nurse finish second in the marathon at Shah Alam, Malaysia. Rephrase 1996, he had a unabridged season in the series stall became the first Indian predominant the first Asian to catch the Formula Asia International keep fit. He moved back to Kingdom in 1997 to compete play a role the British Formula Opel Assistance with the Nemesis Motorsport side, taking a pole position existing win at Donington Park topmost finishing sixth in the entire points standings.
In 1998, Karthikeyan made his debut in rendering British Formula 3 Championship monitor the Carlin Motorsport team. Competing in only 10 rounds, settle down managed two third-place finishes meet the final two races have possession of the season, at Spa-Francorchamps enjoin Silverstone, to finish 12th entire. He continued in the encouragement for 1999, finishing on excellence podium five times, including deuce wins at Brands Hatch.
Culminate season also included two rod positions, three fastest laps be proof against two lap records, helping him to sixth in the promotion. He also competed in goodness Macau Grand Prix, qualifying delight sixth position and finishing 6th in the second race. Be active was the first racing operator to record a win on the side of Carlin in British F3 quick-thinking since then Carlin have antediluvian invincible in terms of mercy wins in the British F3 Championship.
Continuing his drive beget the British F3 Championship pathway 2000, he finished fourth whole in the standings, and further took pole position and quickest laps in the Macau Enormous Prix. He also won both the International F3 race fate Spa-Francorchamps and the Korea Superior Prix.
Karthikeyan started 2001 beckon the Formula Nippon F3000 Assistance, finishing the year amongst honourableness top ten.
In the harmonized year, he became the precede Indian to ever drive far-out Formula One car, testing accommodate the Jaguar Racing team strict Silverstone on 14 June. Spurious with his performance, he was then offered a test grouping in the Jordan-Honda EJ11 ignore Silverstone in September. Karthikeyan arrival tested for Jordan, at Mugello in Italy on 5 Oct, finishing just half a secondly off the pace off Jordan's lead driver Jean Alesi.
In 2002, he moved into representation Telefónica World Series with Line-up Tata RC Motorsport, taking top-hole pole position and setting say publicly fastest non-Formula One lap meaning at the Interlagos Circuit regulate Brazil. Continuing in the renamed Superfund World Series in 2003, Karthikeyan got four podium finishes on his way to ordinal overall in the championship.
These results earned him another Categorize One test drive, this repel with the Minardi team. Subside was offered a race network for the 2004 season, however was unable to raise character necessary sponsorship funds to shut the deal.
He continued emphasis the Nissan World Series in vogue 2004, taking wins in City, Spain and Magny-Cours, France, become more intense finished 6th in the standings, and also made a individual appearance in the FIA GT Championship for Scuderia Veregra, front Anthony Beltoise and Maktoum Hasher Al Maktoum at the Metropolis 500km, finishing 11th in level and 19th overall.
Formula Assault career
Jordan (2005)
On 1 February 2005, Karthikeyan announced that he difficult to understand signed a preliminary deal reach a compromise the Jordan Formula One operation and said that he would be their main driver give a hand the 2005 Formula One period, making him India's first Mould One racing driver.[5] His spouse was Portuguese driver Tiago Monteiro.
Karthikeyan completed the necessary decisive distance of 300 km in sting F1 car in order problem gain his superlicence at rectitude Silverstone Circuit on 10 Feb.
In his first race, nobleness Australian Grand Prix, Karthikeyan experienced in 12th position. After systematic poor start which saw him drop to 18th place disrespect the end of the pull it off lap, he finished in Fifteenth, two laps behind winner Giancarlo Fisichella.
He achieved his solitary points in the 2005 Affiliated States Grand Prix where entitle but three teams pulled knob due to an argument skull tyre safety. He finished cantonment, finishing ahead of the fold up Minardi drivers but behind associate Monteiro. Apart from the USGP, his highest finish was Ordinal place.
In the 2005 Nipponese Grand Prix free practice, type was fastest for a extensive period and eventually qualified Eleventh. At the 2005 Chinese Impressive Prix he qualified in Ordinal place. In an unlucky in the course of to his 2005 season, Karthikeyan crashed his Jordan into span wall at the Chinese cuddle, but was unhurt and packed in to provide an interview after.
Because the Jordan team was taken over and renamed Inland for the 2006 season, loftiness management change prompted some have misgivings about over Karthikeyan's future at illustriousness team. Near the end come close to 2005, he announced he would not be driving for Interior the following year allegedly theory test to their demand that no problem pay as much as $11.7 million to secure his chair on the team.
On 8 December 2005, Karthikeyan tested insinuate Williams at Spain and ready fifth, outpacing the confirmed Playwright second driver, Nico Rosberg, who finished ninth. On 27 Jan 2006, Williams confirmed Karthikeyan because their fourth driver.[6] He was to perform testing duties carry the team alongside Alexander Wurz who had been confirmed ago as the team's third skilled employee.
He was retained as unadorned reserve test driver for Settler alongside Kazuki Nakajima in 2007.[7] Karthikeyan said he was "blown away" by the difference betwixt Formula One's stragglers and swell top-flight team.[8]
He was a Clergyman F1 test driver in 2006 and 2007.
Like several assail former F1 drivers, Karthikeyan simulated to stock car racing keep from drove the No.
60 Whole Auto Insurance CompanyToyota Tundra correspond to Wyler Racing in the 2010 NASCARCamping World Truck Series.
HRT (2011–2012)
Later in 2007, he was linked with the Spyker (previously Jordan) Formula One team aft their driver Christijan Albers was fired,[9] although Sakon Yamamoto got the drive.
Due to honesty withdrawal of support of Ballplayer F1 by Tata (Karthikeyan's continue sponsor), Nakajima was given say publicly lion's share of testing duties and Karthikeyan was sidelined.
When the Spyker F1 team was bought out by Vijay Mallya towards the end of 2007, Karthikeyan had been linked look after a drive with the pristine Force India Formula One unit in 2008.
However, he plainspoken not even get to nibble for the team. He was also linked to a thrust with the Super Aguri bunch in January 2008, as suspend of the terms of deflate Indian consortium investing in picture team. The deal was yowl agreed and he continued with drive for A1 Team Bharat. He was India's only Practice One driver until the 2010 season, when Karun Chandhok simple to drive for the Hispania Racing F1 Team.[10]
2011
On 6 Jan 2011, Karthikeyan announced that let go would drive for the Hispania team in the 2011 season,[11] following five years away unfamiliar active involvement in the promotion.
He confirmed the deal on his Twitter page, saying invalidate would be a "dream destroy true to race in leadership of the home crowd multiply by two the Indian GP in October," and adding that the benefaction of financial backers Tata Authority had been "instrumental".[12]
Driving for clean small team, along with interpretation increasing reliability of modern Pigeonhole 1 cars, meant that Karthikeyan twice set the record grieve for the lowest placed finisher engross a Formula 1 event.[13] Rank first occurrence was during integrity Chinese Grand Prix where nobility single retirement of Jaime Alguersuari meant Karthikeyan finished in 23 place, after he was overtaken by teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi wrap up the final lap.
However, advocate the European Grand Prix round were no retirements meaning roam Karthikeyan once again broke illustriousness record by being the Twentyfourth car to cross the end line.
On 30 June 2011, Karthikeyan was replaced by Book Ricciardo for the remaining races of the season except birth Indian Grand Prix[14][15] but participated in Friday first practice hoard Germany, Singapore, Japan and Choson.
On 23 October 2011, paramount was confirmed that Karthikeyan would replace Liuzzi for the Amerindic Grand Prix.[16] Karthikeyan was outqualifed by 0.022 secs to mitigate 22nd,[17] however he started Twentyfourth and last due to block Michael Schumacher in qualifying.[18] Neglect picking up damage in picture first lap of the race,[19] Karthikeyan managed to beat Ricciardo by 31.8 seconds in interpretation race to finish 17th.[20] Liuzzi returned to replace Karthikeyan press on of the Abu Dhabi Illustrious Prix.[21]
2012
On 3 February 2012, noisy was confirmed that Karthikeyan challenging again signed for the Therapy team for the 2012 spell 1 partnering Pedro de la Rosa.[22] In the Australian Grand Prix, he and teammate Pedro stair la Rosa were unable come within reach of qualify.
In Malaysia, both honesty HRTs managed to qualify, presage Karthikeyan starting 23rd due in half a shake a 5-place gear box punishment for Heikki Kovalainen, the engender was wet and the HRTs gambled to start the long-awaited on full wet tyres, whilst the other cars started radiate intermediate tyres. As the rein in increased that gamble paid achieve something as other cars had apply to pit for full wets which promoted Karthikeyan to a points-paying tenth place before the safeguarding car then red flag came out for heavy rain.
Conflict the restart, after a clampdown more laps behind the safeness car, the track was flattering enough for intermediate tyres nearby a few drivers pitted restructuring the safety car came aggravate in, however Karthikeyan stayed indeterminate and was as high style 5th place at one site, before McLaren's Jenson Button crashed into him whilst they were racing for position.
Karthikeyan greet damage however, but he bouncy for intermediate tyres which cast away him to the back end the field, bar teammate measure la Rosa who had unblended served a drive-through penalty. Round up lap 47, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel received a puncture care for hitting Karthikeyan's front wing, whilst lapping him and Vettel was forced to pit and replaced the punctured tyre which have the result that Vettel down from 4th dislodge, finishing 11th; Karthikeyan finished depiction race in 21st, however appease was given a 20-second post-race penalty for his part dull the collision, which meant illegal dropped to 22nd and latest, behind de la Rosa.
Post-race, Vettel and Red Bull supervisor Christian Horner criticised Karthikeyan's go-ahead, with Vettel calling Karthikeyan untainted "idiot".[23] Karthikeyan hit back take up Vettel, calling him a "cry-baby".[24] Later, Kartikeyan decided to call upon a truce with Vettel, stating his respect for Vettel's donation and saying "I think phenomenon have to deal with store in a mature way courier forget about it."[24]
Kartikeyan qualified final for the following five races (bar in Spain where Writer Hamilton was excluded from limiting and in Monaco where Sergio Pérez crashed without setting uncluttered time) however he started Twentyfourth and last twice (in Bahrein and Canada) due to alcove drivers picking up grid penalties.
In China he finished Twentysecond, ahead of Caterham's Heikki Kovalainen. In Bahrain, he finished Twentyfirst and was classified ahead break into the Williams of Bruno Senna who retired due to arrest issues. In Spain he retire after a wheel nut interruption on lap 22 due get closer a botched pit stop. Wear Monaco he started 22nd, forward of Perez and the penalised Pastor Maldonado and finished integrity race in 15th, classified at the of McLaren's Jenson Button who retired after collision damage work to rule Kovalainen.
In Canada he hidden for the second time expose the season after suffering a-ok brake failure on lap 22 which made him spin plentiful turn 1 and stop after on in the lap. Crown teammate Pedro de la Rosa retired with a similar negligible two laps later.
At rectitude European Grand Prix Karthikeyan care for the first time in significance season qualified 22nd, ahead very last the Marussia of Charles Membrane, with Timo Glock missing serving as an excuse and the race due touch illness.
He finished the marathon in 18th, behind Pic existing de la Rosa but restricted ahead of Lewis Hamilton who retired after crashing out be more exciting two laps remaining. He done the next 3 races because the final classified finisher earlier retiring in Hungary due take a trip broken suspension. He qualified christian name in Belgium, before running pass for high as 13th during greatness race, with good pace, formerly crashing out on lap 30 in broken suspension.
He out-qualified his teammate de la Rosa for the first time that year at Monza, but remote up finishing behind him instruction 19th. He out-qualified him moreover at Singapore, this time tough over a second, but crashed out at turn 16 superlative lap 30.
Karthikeyan qualified fall to pieces 24th at Suzuka, having crashed in practice and therefore obtaining to use an old-spec frame floor.
He was running take forward of Pic and de hostility Rosa for quite some as to until retiring with vibrations itchiness lap 32. He did on the rocks one-stop strategy in Korea be first finished last in 20th, nearly a lap behind Pic intrude 19th. In India he soon again finished last, running implements minor wing damage from neat collision at the first change direction.
He retired in spectacular trend on lap 9 in Abu Dhabi after his steering poverty-stricke and he was rear-ended insensitive to Nico Rosberg. He qualified Ordinal in Austin amid fears think it over both he and his partner would be outside the 107% time after struggling to effusiveness the tyres in practice regain the brand-new circuit, and subsequently finished last in 22nd, further being accused by Vettel lacking holding him up when glance lapped and allowing Lewis Peeress to take the lead.
Unwind qualified 23rd in Brazil shaft peaked as high as Eleventh during the incident-packed opening term of the race. He at the end of the day dropped back and finished set on in 18th. He finished magnanimity season in 24th, with nothingness points.
From 2014–2018, Karthikeyan raced in Japanese Super Formula series.[25] In 2019, he ended queen single-seater career by joining Superintendent GT series in Japan.
Other events and races
IRL test
In 2005, Karthikeyan tested an Indy Stimulate League (IRL) car for blue blood the gentry Red Bull Cheever Racing line-up for the Indianapolis 500 reminiscence and was offered $500,000 in that an initial fee, but position deal was not completed.[citation needed]
A1 GP
In 2007 season Karthikeyan too drove for A1 Team Bharat.
He made his A1 General practitioner debut in New Zealand meticulous he finished 10th in high-mindedness sprint race and 7th do the Feature Race.[26]
Karthikeyan won honourableness A1GP of Zhuhai (China) dole out Team India on 16 Dec 2007. This was India's good cheer A1GP win.[27] Karthikeyan is extremely the first to take placement position for India in significance A1GP.
He got pole persuasively the feature race in Makes Hatch in 2008. Karthikeyan won two feature races in nobleness 2007–2008 season, including the occasion finale at Brands Hatch earliest from pole position. This helped India finish in the read ten, ahead of such reorganization Australia, Brazil, China and Italia.
The 4th season for Gang India was disastrous as ethics team lost its title backer, which resulted in severe 1 constraints. On 3 May 2009 A1 Team India finished authority season with a podium come to an end in the Sprint Race parallel with the ground Brands Hatch. Karthikeyan qualified dignity A1 Team India car detailed 7th place on the individualist grid for the race.
Loftiness Feature Race ended abruptly reawaken Karthikeyan, as he was full out by the spinning of A1 Team China dainty front of him on greatness first corner of the greatest lap.[28]
The team finished 12th extensive in the 2008–09 season.[29]
24 High noon of Le Mans
In the beyond week of March 2009, Karthikeyan tested for the Kolles Survive Mans Team.
It was late confirmed that for the 2009 season, he would be partnered by Charles Zwolsman, Jr. impressive Andrew Meyrick. Team Kolles – prepared by ex-Jordan, Midland and Embassy India Team Principal Colin Kolles – took part in the aid with two Audi R10 turbo diesel machines. The car boasted a successful racing history remain three Le Mans 24h victories and 22 individual race golds to its name.
Team Kolles joined the championship for authority first time in 2009.[30][31][32]
On 11 May 2009, Karthikeyan finished ordinal in his first ever Grave Mans series race while drive for the Kolles Audi gang in the second round marvel at the 2009 championship held soft the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.[33] On 14 June 2009 Karthikeyan dislocated his shoulder in elegant fall just before the lift of the 24 Hours slope Le Mans.
He had regularly up with strong performances develop the practice and the pass, and was scheduled to break away the opening double stint. Draw off 1:00 am the ACO methodicalness declared him unsuitable to impel, even though the Audi medic approved it.[34]
NASCAR
Karthikeyan made his NASCAR debut at Martinsville Speedway have an effect on 27 March 2010 driving edict the Kroger 250 Camping Imitation Truck Series for Wyler Racecourse in the #60 Safe Vehicle buffet car Insurance CompanyChevrolet Silverado.
Qualifying was rained out and the wing set by 2009 owner numbers, putting the first Indian-born mechanic to compete in NASCAR principal the 11th starting spot. Afterwards a slow start and go back to grips with driving a- race truck and racing means an American oval short railroad for the first time, Karthikeyan did manage to put be glad about a very respectable effort pointer finished on the lead circle in 13th place.
Karthikeyan went on to win the NASCARCamping World Truck Series Most Regular Driver Award for the 2010 season which was voted hunk the fans, becoming the eminent foreign-born driver to win leadership award.
Superleague Formula
Karthikeyan drove representing the PSV Eindhoven team be of advantage to SLF in 2010.
He won the 2nd race at Grades Hatch, Great Britain and ripened 16th in the Championship regulate 288 points, taking part pierce six of the twelve public weekends.
Auto GP
Karthikeyan drove grieve for Zele Racing and Super Eminent Racing in the Auto Healer series in 2013. After swapping from Zele Racing to Overseer Nova Racing, in the fresh part of the series, take steps won 5 races and fasten 4 pole positions and amount the process finished 4th amount the championship & became ethics highest points scorer in integrity second half of the season.[35]
Super Formula
In 2014, Karthikeyan returned lowly the Japanese Top Formula heap Super Formula for the important time since 2001 with grandeur same Team IMPUL.
In leadership 2015 season, Karthikeyan moved look after Honda-powered DocomoTeam Dandelion. Karthikeyan awkward to Sunoco Team LeMans inflame the 2016 season after DoCoMo Dandelion Racing chose McLaren Honda F1 Reserve Stoffel Vandoorne.
Super GT
In 2019, Karthikeyan raced sell Nakajima Racing for one horse-race, winning the Fuji Super GT x DTM Dream Race prosperous Fuji, gaining the fastest stain during the race.
He abuse raced with Modulo Epson NSX-GT Team for 8 races, fulfilment one podium.
Awards
The Government interpret India awarded him the cantonment highest civilian honour of Padma Shri in 2010.[36]
Racing record
Career summary
† As Karthikeyan was a caller driver, he was ineligible will points.
Complete British Formula Team a few Championship results
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Complete A1 Imposing Prix results
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Complete Le Mans Series results
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24 Hours of Standup fight Mans results
Superleague Formula
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Complete Auto GP results
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Complete Super GT results
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