Tata Group Backs Narain Karthikeyan For Super Formula Series Entry

By Ganesh

Updated: Friday, March 28, 2014, 13:47 [IST]

Narain Karthikeyan, India's first Formula 1 racing driver, will participate in the 2014 Super Formula series, based in Japan. Super Formula is the world's fastest single-make racing championship. Karthikeyan's main sponsor will be his long time supporter, Tata Group.

For the 2014 season, Super Formula uses a new Dallara SF14 chassis that's powered by a two-litre, 550 bhp turbocharged engine, in place of the earlier V8.

Also Read: Narain Karthikeyan Jaguar F-Type Around Silverstone

The new SF14 Super Formula cars have been tested to be only 3 seconds slower than 2013 F1 cars. But since the 2014 turbo F1 cars are four seconds slower than last year's cars, the new SF14 Super Formula cars are actually faster.

The racing series started off as Formula Nippon in 1973, with its driver roster including Michael Schumacher, Eddie Irvine, Pedro De La Rosa and Ralf Schumacher.

Narain Karthikeyan will be racing for Team Impul Hoshino Racing, along with team mate and 2010 Super Formula Champion, João Paulo de Oliveira. Some of the other well known drivers Karthikeyan will be competing against will be 24 hour Le Mans winners and WEC World Champions, Andre Lotterer and Loic Duval, former F1 pilots, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Takuma Sato and Kazuki Nakajima, former Force India F1 test driver, James Rossiter.

Dr. Mukund Rajan, Member - Group Executive Council and Brand Custodian, Tata Sons, said, "The Tata group has, throughout its history, supported the cause of sports in India. It has spawned academies for different sports, sponsored numerous sporting events, and supported the most talented sportspersons in this country. Our association with Narain Karthikeyan and motor sports is an extension of this commitment. We have been supporting Narain for the past twelve years and were in fact the principal sponsors of his debut foray in F1. We are excited to sponsor his maiden participation in the 2014 Super Formula season. We wish him the very best, and are confident that he will continue to make India proud."

Speaking on the association and the upcoming season, Narain Karthikeyan said, "It is an honour to be backed by the Tata group that has always been at the forefront of promoting Indian sporting talent, and has consciously strived to encourage sports in India and globally through multiple platforms, across multiple sports. I am excited and looking forward to compete in the 2014 Super Formula season, which has an amazing line-up of drivers from across the world. The best part about this spec-series is the fact that everyone has the same equipment and the same opportunity to win - something which I relished in Auto GP last year. I hope to make the country proud."

2014 Super Formula Calendar