Ricciardo to replace Karthikeyan at HRT

pranavt · 23rd July 2011, 03:05

Just a small update from the proverbial horse's mouth.

Was on a flight to Coimbatore last Thursday/Friday (can't remember right now), and of all the people who could've been next to me, it was Narain Karthikeyan. LOL.

Chatted with him about cars and F1 just before the plane landed. He will be driving in the Singapore and Indian GPs, the rest of the season will be spent sitting out and sometimes doing practice sessions like the FP1 this weekend (Nurburgring).

volkman10 · 9th September 2011, 19:22

"Go to the British Grand Prix and the local fans will be cheering on their hometown heroes Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. At the Australian Grand Prix they'll cheer for Mark Webber. In Spain they pull for Fernando Alonso. In Germany, it's showtime for Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher. Not every country with a Formula One race is represented on the grid as well, but India will be when the F1 circus rolls into town in late October.

The subcontinent has only had a couple of F1 drivers in its history with Karun Chandhok and Narain Karthikeyan, both of whom have achieved limited success. Chandhok contested a handful of grands prix for HRT last season and one for Lotus earlier this year, but has failed to score a single point.

Meanwhile Karthikeyan scored his only points at the controversial 2005 United States Grand Prix, where he drove for Jordan. After returning with HRT earlier this season, Narain was replaced by Red Bull's Australian protégé Daniel Ricciardo a few races ago. However it's now being reported that HRT will put Karthikeyan back in the driver's seat to race in front of his home crowd for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix five races from now.

Of course HRT and Karthikeyan will have to vie for fans' loyalty against the Force India team, which currently stands at seventh place in the constructors' standings, behind Renault and Sauber and ahead of Toro Rosso and Williams."

Narain Karthikeyan confirms Indian GP return with new backer - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com

pranavt · 17th September 2011, 17:58

So he's taking part in the Singapore GP practice and Indian GP race. Close. Perhaps he couldn't raise enough money to drive a proper race at Singapore ultimately.

Feel sorry for the guy though. Told me he had to sell his Nissan GTR to finance his drive this year. Lord knows I'd do the same thing if I was in his position. Nonetheless, a proper mockery of the sport all the same.

23rd July 2011, 03:05	#16
pranavt Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,682 Thanked: 641 Times View My Garage	Re: Ricciardo to replace Karthikeyan at HRT Just a small update from the proverbial horse's mouth. Was on a flight to Coimbatore last Thursday/Friday (can't remember right now), and of all the people who could've been next to me, it was Narain Karthikeyan. LOL. Chatted with him about cars and F1 just before the plane landed. He will be driving in the Singapore and Indian GPs, the rest of the season will be spent sitting out and sometimes doing practice sessions like the FP1 this weekend (Nurburgring). Last edited by pranavt : 23rd July 2011 at 03:07.
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9th September 2011, 19:22	#17
volkman10 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: -- Posts: 23,428 Thanked: 67,858 Times View My Garage	Re: Ricciardo to replace Karthikeyan at HRT "Go to the British Grand Prix and the local fans will be cheering on their hometown heroes Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. At the Australian Grand Prix they'll cheer for Mark Webber. In Spain they pull for Fernando Alonso. In Germany, it's showtime for Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher. Not every country with a Formula One race is represented on the grid as well, but India will be when the F1 circus rolls into town in late October. The subcontinent has only had a couple of F1 drivers in its history with Karun Chandhok and Narain Karthikeyan, both of whom have achieved limited success. Chandhok contested a handful of grands prix for HRT last season and one for Lotus earlier this year, but has failed to score a single point. Meanwhile Karthikeyan scored his only points at the controversial 2005 United States Grand Prix, where he drove for Jordan. After returning with HRT earlier this season, Narain was replaced by Red Bull's Australian protégé Daniel Ricciardo a few races ago. However it's now being reported that HRT will put Karthikeyan back in the driver's seat to race in front of his home crowd for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix five races from now. Of course HRT and Karthikeyan will have to vie for fans' loyalty against the Force India team, which currently stands at seventh place in the constructors' standings, behind Renault and Sauber and ahead of Toro Rosso and Williams." Narain Karthikeyan confirms Indian GP return with new backer - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com
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17th September 2011, 17:58	#18
pranavt Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,682 Thanked: 641 Times View My Garage	Re: Ricciardo to replace Karthikeyan at HRT So he's taking part in the Singapore GP practice and Indian GP race. Close. Perhaps he couldn't raise enough money to drive a proper race at Singapore ultimately. Feel sorry for the guy though. Told me he had to sell his Nissan GTR to finance his drive this year. Lord knows I'd do the same thing if I was in his position. Nonetheless, a proper mockery of the sport all the same.
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