Narain Karthikeyan returns to Formula One

Narain Karthikeyan is all set to re-write the history books once again

Narain Karthikeyan returns to Formula One

Narain Karthikeyan is all set to re-write the history books once again. After becoming the India's first Formula One driveru00a0in 2005 and then adding another first by registering points in the season, he is now looking forward to becoming the first and only Indian to race in the Formula One Indian Grand Prix scheduled for October this year.

Thirty-three-year-old Karthikeyan will be making his comeback to the pinnacle ofu00a0 world motorsport, after a four-year gap, with the Hispania Racing Team. And according to a source close to the speed demon, even more than his return to the cockpit of his F1 car, the former Jordan F1 driver is kicked at the prospect of revving up his engine in his from of home fans.

"Narain can't get over the fact that he will be the first and only Indian to race in front of home fans at the inaugural GP to be held in Delhi. He is over the moon at the very thought of revving up that engine on Indian soil amid loud cheers from Indian supporters," revealed one of Karthikeyan's close aides.

It is learnt that Karthikeyan had the opportunity to return to F1 with HRT last year itself but chose to play the waiting game, for two reasons. "Firstly, the HRT car was still in its evolving stage, but secondly and more importantly, he wanted his return to the circuit to coincide with the debut of the Indian GP," added the friend.

For the 2011 season, HRT have established strong technical partnerships given an upgraded version of their 2010 chassis, mated to the legendary Cosworth engine, and a gearbox sourced from the Williams Formula 1 team. And it is this extraordinary F1 experience of Williams Grand Prix Engineering and reliability of the car that Karthikeyan is banking upon to add yet another chapter to Indian motorsports history.

"Given HRT's technological advancements and aerodynamic improvements, Narain believes he's in a very strong position to do well in 2011. In fact he's even looking forward to scoring points at the Indian GP. He wants to be the first Indian to win the first ever points at the first ever Indian F1 GP race," concluded the source.