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Home  » Sports » Karthikeyan goes the distance for F1 licence

Karthikeyan goes the distance for F1 licence

February 10, 2005 08:19 IST
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India's Narain Karthikeyan completed the distance he needed for a Formula One super licence on Wednesday after his first outing in the Jordan he will race this season.

Under International Automobile Federation (FIA) rules rookies must have done 300km of Formula One testing before being allowed to compete and India's first grand prix driver did that at Silverstone.

"It went very well, we did lots of distance and I'm happy with the test so far," said Karthikeyan, who competed in the World Series by Nissan series last year.

"We had no major problems and achieved my aim which was to complete 300km.

"Last time I drove a single-seater car was in November and the first thing I've driven on the circuit since then is a Formula One car.

"So it was very quick and very exciting this morning but now I'm getting used to it and it's time to get on with the work."

Sporting director Trevor Carlin said the Toyota-powered team had clocked up 400km in total, with Portugal's Tiago Monteiro starting off before handing over to his colleague.

Including mileage run at the shakedown on Monday and Tuesday, Jordan said they had covered almost 700km of trouble-free running.

"We are very impressed with how quickly both drivers have got back into the groove of driving racing cars after a couple of months out of them," said Carlin.

"They are both comfortable with the EJ15 and they are being sensible and not pushing to the limit at this stage."

Jordan, struggling to stay afloat last year, were taken over by the Midland Group last month and this season will be their last before the team changes its name to Midland.

The season starts in Australia on March 6.

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Source: REUTERS
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