Karthikeyan ends negotiations with Midland

Picture © Huw Alban
By Huw Alban
November 22 2005

Despite being widely tipped to secure the vacant race seat at Midland, Narain Karthikeyan has revealed that talks have ended. This news has further fuelled speculation that 2005 team mate Tiago Monteiro is destined to take the seat instead.

Narain has gone on record stating that the price of the Midland drive was simply more than he could raise through sponsorship. "The seat would have worked out between (US) $9.5 million and $14 million," Narain stated.

"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."

Various web sources has expressed surprise at the asking price as this is rumoured to be around double that asked for the 2005 drive.

The same sources have also confirmed that the popular Indian is now turning his attention to securing a ‘Friday’ drive instead, with Williams still being named as the most likely candidate. Narain refused to confirm that he had been in contact with the Grove based team, but did add, "Being a test driver in a good car will allow me to showcase my skills better. That is a genuine possibility."