The rather unexpected return of Karthikeyan ?

[UltimateDanGTR]

Karthikeyan claims he will return to F1 with HRT;

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2011/01/06/narain-karthikeyan-says-he-will-return-to-f1-with-hrt/

that was out of the blue, and nothing against Narain, but doesn't exactly enhance HRT's respectability if true, considering he's been out of F1 for 5 years........


(on an unrelated note, I've finally started to question mmyself as to why so many of my posts end with ..........)

[DazzlaF1]

Its obviously money related but this begs the question, if they wanted an Indian driver, then what exactly was wrong with Karun Chandhok last year?

Plus I cant recall Narain doing anything of note since the demise of the A1 GP series 2 years ago so he's obviously ring-rusty

[CaptainRaiden]

Yep I was as surprised as you after seeing the news a few minutes ago here: http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/250102/karthikeyan-springs-surprise-with-hrt-deal/

Not that I'm not happy over the prospect of two Indian drivers on the grid next year, but HRT is starting to look more and more like a pay-and-drive go-kart team. Well, let's hope it won't be completely embarrassing like him coming 4th in a 4 car race at Indy GP 2005.

I'll be surprised if he's able to outrace or even outqualify any of the regular F1 drivers next year, even the drivers who have been there or thereabout. Even though he hasn't been spectacular, Chandhok deserves the seat more IMO. He still could end up at Force India though, as I'm guessing lots of Indian companies would love to sponsor an Indian driver driving for an Indian team at the Indian GP.

[jonny hurlock]

imo I would kept Karun Chandhok (more fan friendly than Karthikeyan), anyway good luck for Karthikeyan, better than Yamamoto, yet again anyone could be better than Yamamoto

[Giuseppe F1]

Didnt see this one coming TBH - obviously chasing Indian Rupees what with the upcoming Indian race


http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88821

http://en.espnf1.com/hrtf1/motorsport/story/37584.html

[driveace]

Its all about who brings the most cash,not where you come from!

[CNR]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/06012011/23/hispania-offers-karthikeyan-unexpected-lifeline.html

Williams for two years as a test driver.

sportscars with appearances for Kolles Audi in the Le Mans Series
http://suansuantiantian.net/report-hrt-buy-gearbox-williams-in-2011/


HRT struggling team has probably become a customer technical support by Williams in 2011.

Last month we reported that the famous British team Williams may be set to supply its hydraulic systems and transmissions to one or more new small sports teams.

[keysersoze]

Just did a check of Narain's racing activities since he left Williams. He's won like 3-4 A1GP races, has had a pole (or two), has raced respectably in a Lemans car, and did 9 races in the truck series (best finish of 13th).

When he was with Jordan, he and Thiagro (sp?) were generally close together in qualifying, around 16th-17th, though he gridded 12th in his very first race, and 11th in the penultimate round in Japan.

I read somewhere that in his first Williams test he outperformed Nico Rosberg.

[555-04Q2]

HRT's not exactly a premium drive seat is it.....money must be involved.

[ShiftingGears]

I wonder if this squanders Chandhok's chances at driving at the Indian Grand Prix.

[Big Ben]

The idea of Karthikeyan on the grid in a HRT surprises me more from the 'hrt on the grid' perspective.

[I am evil Homer]

Tata has very deep pockets...I'd think this secures HRT for the 2011 grid.

[jens]

Brave move by Narain as he has a clear danger of becoming another José Maria Lopez, looking at how the situation is unfolding. Tata may have money, but if the team is not designing and building cars, they physically can't race.

Overall the situation of the team is quite hopeless, so it doesn't matter, who is in the car other than that they wouldn't block and interrupt faster cars too much.

Wonder if in the long run Tata would try to "do a Proton". Buy into the team and then rename it after a traditional British sportscar brand - Jaguar in this case. And then people would start debating, whether this is the real Jaguar or not. :p :


....money must be involved.

No way, especially considering that this is the only way they can even remotely guarantee their presence on the grid. :p :

[Sleeper]

Its strange how he keeps turning up racing for Collin Kolles. Just someone remind him not to jump over the pitwall 20 minutes before the start of the race. Unlike Le Mans, his car doesnt have co-drivers and will be out if he dislocates his shoulder doing that.

[N. Jones]

I can only assume he is bringing money with him considering how dire the HRT team is at the moment.

I would like HRT to sign de la Rosa so they can get a guy with loads of experience because they need all the help they can get.

[DexDexter]

Well, Karthikeyan isn't Jean-Denis Deletraz, he's got some pedigree so if he helps them stay afloat, so be it.

[truefan72]

its a pay drive. pure and simple

[RS]

And this after Kolles was whinging about the drivers he had early last season being the reason the team did not finish 10th...

[fandango]

The title of this thread reminds me of The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin.

I didn't get where I am today by driving round in circles, eh Reggie?

[BDunnell]

Wonder if in the long run Tata would try to "do a Proton". Buy into the team and then rename it after a traditional British sportscar brand - Jaguar in this case. And then people would start debating, whether this is the real Jaguar or not. :p :

Ha! Another good choice might be BRM, given the entirely suitable ways in which the use of that name has been allowed in recent times...

[maximilian]

Wonder if in the long run Tata would try to "do a Proton". Buy into the team and then rename it after a traditional British sportscar brand - Jaguar in this case. And then people would start debating, whether this is the real Jaguar or not. :p :

There wouldn't be anything to debate in this case. Tata is the legitimate owner of all things Jaguar, and as such it would be a welcome return of the name to F1

[CNR]

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/karun-caught-legal-tangle-669

Karun caught in legal tangle


Karun made a lot of promises on paper. But, he failed to fulfill his obligations. We waited for some time, but we didn’t have any other choice than suspending him at the German GP. We, however, did everything diplomatically. We didn’t make it public. Since then, Karun was never in the team’s radar,” the German told this newspaper.
Sources say Karun, as a pay driver, had promised to bring in about 8 million euros to the team, but his contribution stopped after the first installment of 2 million euros.
“His failed promises affected the team’s progress last year. We were planning to do certain upgrades on the car, but everything got disturbed,” Kolles added.

if the team did not have the money to upgrade the car how the feck did they get the grid spot

8 million euros on research and development how far would that go 1 seconds a lap ?

[Garry Walker]

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/karun-caught-legal-tangle-669

Karun caught in legal tangle


if the team did not have the money to upgrade the car how the feck did they get the grid spot

8 million euros on research and development how far would that go 1 seconds a lap ?
Depends on how it is used? HRT was a complete failure and it is a disgrace we have such a team on grid.
Of course, losers like Narain and HRT belong together.

[Flatsixrules]

its a pay drive. pure and simple
One word ... Tata!

But wait ... with the hiring of Daniel Simon, all will be well! If I were he, I'd be running to the bank to get that cheque hammered right quick!

http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpa...s_art_id=42818 (http://www.pitpass.com/fes_php/pitpass_news_item.php?fes_art_id=42818)