Jordan Confirm Karthikeyan, Monteiro for 2005

Indian Narain Karthikeyan and Portuguese Tiago Monteiro will race with the Jordan team in 2005, the Formula One squad confirmed today.

As revealed by Atlas F1 earlier this week, Karthikeyan will become the first Indian to compete in a Formula One Grand Prix. The 28-year old, who over the last eight years was in British Formula Three and the Nissan World Series, had already tested for the Jordan team in 2001.

28-year old Monteiro, who also raced in the Nissan World Series last season, made his Formula One debut in 2002 with the Renault team and was a Minardi test driver in 2004.

Both Karthikeyan and Monteiro had raced for Jordan's new sporting director Trevor Carlin in British Formula Three. Carlin was appointed after the Midland Group took over the Jordan team last month.

"I know Narain very well because he drove for me in 1998 in Formula Three and I have run him in various formulas every year since then," said Carlin. "We've won a lot of races together. He's very competitive, a super-quick driver, sometimes a little bit raw and wild in his style but he is a proven race winner and I am confident that in our environment he will thrive. He's ready for F1 now - I think he'll do a good job for us.

"Tiago has also raced for me before. He raced in the Nissan Dallara World Series last season and finished second in the Championship, winning five races - he did a fantastic job. He is a super-professional and as a driver he's very good technically, we will see him work well with the team to get the best out of the car and improve it.

"He's extremely fit and has a very good race pace, rarely makes mistakes and brings us a very technically competent, polished and consistent package. This is the chance for him to prove himself and make people notice him.

"He's ready to make a big impression. We have been very lucky to put together a driver line-up which gives us a really strong package in terms of youth, technical ability, speed and talent."

Monteiro is his country's first Formula One driver in nearly 10 years.

"I'm more than excited to be part of Jordan Grand Prix this season," said Monteiro. "I have worked hard each season to be able to race one day in F1 and I really want to make the most out of this to thank everyone who helped put me here today.

"Portugal was waiting for a F1 driver for nearly ten years and the fact that I'm going to represent my country and the Portuguese culture all over the world makes me proud and gives me so much motivation. I have also a special thought for all my friends and supporters in France where I have done most of my racing career.

"It's great to start with Jordan and the addition of Midland and all the Carlin people I have been racing with is a big plus."

Karthikeyan added: "My aim has always been to compete in F1, it is where no Indian driver has been before. I've got the hopes of a nation behind me so I've no choice but to succeed now. I have tested with three different Formula One teams at various circuits and I'm going to give it everything I've got so I am confident that this is going to be a good year for me."