Williams Confirms Narain Karthikeyan

[beej]

SO how much cash does he bring to Williams for the seat of test driver this year then I am guessing on to full time ride in '07?

http://www.williamsf1.com/news_2701_nk.html

http://www.williamsf1.com/news_2701_tata.html

[PDC]

Now beej, are we being a bit skeptical here? I am sure it was on talent only.

[beej]

Now beej, are we being a bit skeptical here? I am sure it was on talent only.

Of course you are right, and Loon Lake Lodge has the best food and service in Indy right

[GrandView]

........then I am guessing on to full time ride in '07?

Pretty doubtful Karthikeyan gets a Sunday ride with Williams in 2007. Not impossible I guess........but very unlikely.

Webber is in his last year of a Williams contract, but depending upon his performance this year.......where does he go of his own volition?

Wurz has the Friday 3rd car ride, and the lead test driver slot. Nico Rosberg has been signed to a long-term contract.

Karthikeyan brought some money to help retain the 4th driver position. And he'll get some serious time behind the wheel. Williams will need every bit of test time they can get....new engine manufacturer.....and new tire manufacturer. The Tata sponsorship will help in that regard, but it's unlikely to vault Karthikeyan to a Sunday drive.

GV

[PDC]

GV, do you think Wurz will ever get a race day ride again? Talk about a perennial tester!

Beej, Loon Lake must have just had a bad night, that place is packed every weekend.

[GrandView]

GV, do you think Wurz will ever get a race day ride again? Talk about a perennial tester!

Boy...hard call. Alex has a couple of critical issues against him I think.

Firstly, he'll be 32 by the time the season rolls around. Secondly, even by the McLarenF1 site Bio's....he's 6'1' and almost 170 pounds! That's extraordinarily large for a Formula One driver. He had trouble fitting in the MP4-20 for testing. In original guise he flat couldn't fit......some modifications were made by time of the race he did compete in (subbing for the injured Montoya).....where he finished P3. However, the procession of talent that Ron Dennis is parading through the door before and after Coulthards departure was surely the handwriting on the wall. Raikkonen......Montoya......Alonso....

By all accounts McLaren was very pleased with his service and feedback as a test driver. And I thought he had promise when he was driving for Benetton. However, that's many many moons ago.

I think this is his last shot with a premium team.........and likely a Sunday drive depends upon either Webber's 2007 decision.....or a 2007 Williams decision about Webber.

Life is sometimes a bit cruel, but one shouldn't waste a lot of tears for Wurz's position. He likely is the best paid test driver in Formula One history. He has not been a pauper these last 5 years.

GV

[PDC]

Well, with that size, maybe he should consider NASCAR.

Good point about him not starving. It's kind of like being Peyton Manning's backup, plenty of practice, good pay, then watch on Sundays. Better than a real job.

[Ferris]

I doubt that Narain gets further then his testing role at Williams regardless of the cash he brings. As for Wurz, I have to agree with GV I think his time for a full ride has passed and at 32 he is getting a bit long in the tooth compared to the younger kids coming through the ranks...If he does get a race seat it would only be on an interim basis most likely....Now PDC what is with this Loon Lake Place...Maybe something for Abbie

[PDC]

Now PDC what is with this Loon Lake Place...Maybe something for Abbie

Abbie was there. Could explain the slow service.

As far as 32 being too old, I hate hearing that, no matter what sport.

[TC in Indy]

Of course you are right, and Loon Lake Lodge has the best food and service in Indy right

Beej, Loon Lake is the main reason I am having a cook out at my house on July 1st. I promise the service will be better this year.

[Lee Roy]

Abbie was there. Could explain the slow service.

That's what I was thinking.

[Indy kiwi]

I hosted a group of 35 people at Loon Lake Lodge a couple of months ago and the service was great. You boys were behaving weren't you??

[beej]

Beej, Loon Lake is the main reason I am having a cook out at my house on July 1st. I promise the service will be better this year.

Hey TC, now we are talking!

[Plectraholica]

Karthy did get a couple of points in Indy last year.

[PDC]

I hosted a group of 35 people at Loon Lake Lodge a couple of months ago and the service was great. You boys were behaving weren't you??

The boys were behaving exceptionally well. Must have been that one female troublemaker in the group!

Plec, good point about Karthy getting some points here. He did beat the Minardis.