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Jordan confirms 2005 line-up

Jordan has officially confirmed that Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro will be its two race drivers for the 2005 season, meaning the outfit will almost certainly be the only one of the grid in Melbourne without any previous Formula 1 race experience

Karthikeyan, who confirmed earlier this week that he was close to the deal, will become India's first Formula 1 driver and his arrival in the sport will be a massive coup to the sport's popularity in the Asian region.

Monteiro, who comes from Portugal, is his country's first Formula 1 driver since Pedro Lamy drove for Minardi during the 1996 season.

Karthikeyan said: "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 F1 teams at various circuits and I am going to give it everything I've got, so I am confident that this is going to be a good year for me."

Monteiro added: "I'm more than excited to be part of Jordan Grand Prix this season. 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 has helped me here today.

"Portugal was waiting for an 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."

Jordan's decision means that the 2005 Formula 1 grid is now almost complete. The only vacancies now are at Minardi, where Denmark's Nicolas Kiesa is expected to make a return, while Red Bull Racing has yet to confirm whether Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi will team up with David Coulthard

The updated version of the EJ14, which the team will use for the start of the 2005 campaign, will run for the first time at Silverstone on Monday.

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