Formula One news

Karthikeyan won't race in 2006

Narain Karthikeyan has counted himself out of the running to stay on the F1 grid next year. Although the rookie Indian appeared to be a contender to keep his Jordan ride, he has admitted that negotiations with the newly renamed 'Midland' outfit have now ended. Karthikeyan's revelation adds fuel to speculation that Portuguese oil company-sponsored Tiago Monteiro will line up alongside Christijan Albers.

'NK' said the price of the race drive was simply too high. "The seat would have worked out between (US) $9.5 million and $14 million," Narain said.

Karthikeyan says he did not even seriously propose the price-tag to his Indian sponsors because "I knew it is impossible to get that kind of money. "We have been juggling with the figures for some time now and it was not working out. I have been compelled to tell Midland to look elsewhere."

If the $9-$14m asking price is accurate, it represents almost twice the amount forked out by Narain's sponsors for his 2005 team seat. As expected, Karthikeyan confirmed that he had now turned his attention to a 'Friday' practice or test ride with a bigger team like Williams.

Asked if he'd been on the phone to Sir Frank, the Indian rookie replied: 'No comment'. But he did say: "Being a test driver in a good car will allow me to showcase my skills better. That is a genuine possibility."

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