Jordan signs Monteiro, Karthikeyan

Jordan today announced the signing of Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan as its race drivers for the 2005 Formula One World Championship.

Karthikeyan’s signing marks the entry of the first ever Indian driver to the top echelons of motorsport, giving Formula One exceptional appeal in India with the potential for an enormous new audience and business market associated with a national racing hero known as “the fastest Indian on wheels”.

Tiago Monteiro said: “Portugal was waiting for a F1 driver for nearly 10 years and the fact that I'm going to represent my country and the Portuguese culture all over the world makes me proud and gives me so much motivation.”

Narain Karthikeyan said: "My aim has always been to compete in F1, it is where no Indian driver has been before. I’ve got the hopes of a nation behind me so I’ve no choice but to succeed now. I have tested with three different Formula 1 teams at various circuits and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got so I am confident that this is going to be a good year for me. "