Narain Karthikeyan is set to return to F1 with HRT this season, ensuring that there will be a local presence on the grid for the first Indian GP in October.
Karthikeyan announced the news on Twitter by saying: “Back in F1 in 2011. Signed a deal to race for HRT. I’ve always maintained that my time in F1 was not over & now making good on that promise.”
Karthikeyan’s arrival at HRT is logical given his long relationship with team boss Colin Kolles, who haS a history of maintaining contacts with drivers he’s employed over the years. In 2005 Karthikeyan drove for Kolles at the Jordan team in its first season under Midland ownership, finishing fourth in the US GP after the Michelin runners pulled out. He has since driven for Kolles at Le Mans.
He kept his hand in after the Jordan season with a spell as Williams test driver. Last year he competed in the NASCAR truck series but also got some single seater mileage in Superleague.
Karthikeyan – who turns 34 in two weeks – has the support of the mighty Tata Group, which is also involved with Ferrari.
The Times of India quoted him as saying: “It’s been a while in the making, but I am delighted to be racing again in Formula 1 in 2011. I have always maintained that I have not given up on my desire to return to the top level of motor sport. I am confident that I have the pace, the fitness and the will to succeed in Formula 1. I am extremely grateful to the Tata Group, without whose unwavering support, this comeback would not have been possible.”
Adam Cooper F1 
It’s kind of a shame that Tata couldn’t seem to get behind Karun Chandhok last year when he had one of the seats. He seemed to have some more natural pace than Narain has ever shown. Wonder if Christijan Albers is set to make a return in the other seat for a Kolles 1-2 punch….
Seems like madness to me. HRT need a solid driver that can keep the car on the track, keep it in one piece and maintain a reasonable pace.
Theyve signed a driver who in his limited time in F1 prove he had none of these qualities.
Clearly the shortage of drivers with financial backing is worse than I had realised.