Narain Karthikeyan will return to driving duties for A1 Team India this weekend, at the A1GP Durban, South Africa. The F1 test driver first drove for India at theNew Zealand round in January, where he scored the team’s first points in theA1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
It is a busy week for Karthikeyan, who is also testing for the Williams F1 Teamin Valencia as part of his duties as the team’s third driver. After completing thetwo-day F1 test, Karthikeyan will fly straight to South Africa and arrive inDurban on Thursday evening.
The South African circuit is one of the most difficult on the A1GP calendar, withonly nine teams finishing last year’s Feature race. The 3.28 km long track inthe centre of Durban winds around narrow, concrete lined streets, leaving littlemargin for error.
Karthikeyan said, “I’m delighted to be rejoining the team in South Africa. TheNew Zealand race was very much a learning process; getting used to the carand the team, and building up data. I’ve been busy with the Williams F1 Teamsince then and unfortunately had to miss the last race in Australia. Now I can’twait to get back in the car and represent India in A1GP.
“I’ve heard that the circuit in Durban has a reputation for being very difficult, butI think my experience around similar circuits such as Macau and Monacoshould help me. Hopefully we will be able to build on the progress we made inNew Zealand and secure more points this weekend.
â€A1 Team India Seatholder, Yohann Setna added, “The team is really lookingforward to welcoming Narain back into the car on Friday. Durban is a toughcircuit and showed last year that it can end even the most experienced driver’s race. However, Narain has great experience of street circuits, and I’m sure hewill make India proud.
“There’s a strong Indian community in Durban, so we expect to see some flags in the grandstand over the weekend. I’ve already been in touch with somemembers of the Indian community and I’m sure Narain can expect a greatwelcome when he arrives.
â€The sound of the A1GP cars will echo round Durban on Friday morning whenthe teams first take to the track for practice. This will be followed by a finalpractice session on Saturday morning, before the four segment qualifyingsession. The race action will kick off at 11.00 local time on Sunday with a 20minute Sprint race, which will be followed by a longer 70 minute Feature race.
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