Narain Karthikeyan shifts to Dandelion team and Honda engine
Okayama (Japan), 28 March 2015: This year Narain Kartikeyan will take part in the Japan Super Formula Japan Series with a new team, Dandelion. It will be a shift from Toyota engine to Honda engine for the Coimbatore-based Narain, the first Indian to make it to the pinnacle of motorsports, the Formula One.
“It was very good to try simulating start, qualifying, race, and pit stop practically, however, because of the engine trouble occurred on both 1st and 2nd day, I lost the valuable opportunity for final setting up of the car,” said Narain after the official test in Suzuka.
Over 2 weeks from the 1st official test in Suzuka Circuit, with cherry blossoms gradually blooming in nice and warm weather, the 2nd official test had started in Okayama International Circuit, where the Supper Formula will be held for the first time in 7 years. The series starts on April l18.
According to forecast, the fine weather would continue during 2-day test. The drivers vigorously ran the cars around from the very beginning of the session, pit stop practice and start practice , long run with fully filled, simulating race and qualification, and so on. At the end of 1st day’s afternoon session, trouble occurred in the engine of Narain Karthikeyan’s car, and he had to finish the day a little unsatisfactorily. Tomoki Nojiri was 4th position overall, 2nd among Honda users.
On 2nd day, Tomoki Nojiri drove his car testing aerodynamic devices. Narain Karthikeyan practiced making pit stop and starting, and also drove around mastering vehicle characteristic and the circuit course. Nojiri finished the morning session in 2nd position, however, right after the afternoon session had started, engine trouble occurred and took a considerable amount of time to deal with it.
Karthikeyan, too, felt something wrong in the engine soon after the session started, and had to suspended the driving halfway through the test. Nojiri managed to return to the course in the end of the test, and simulated the qualifying. After all, he finished the last official test right before ’15 season in 2nd position.
#40：Tomoki Nojiri : Position 2nd overall (1st among HONDA users) I have tested something good, bad, and new in several ways, and could deepen the understanding of my car. I have marked good time constantly, so I do not think I am doing wrong. Now, I have to be prepared with my team, considering how we could reflect this test result to Susuka, the season opener. I am looking forward to the second season of Super Formula to open!!
#41：Narain Karthikeyan : Position 13th overall (4th among HONDA users) It was very good to try simulating start, qualifying, race, and pit stop practically, however, because of the engine trouble occurred on both 1st and 2nd day, I lost the valuable opportunity for final setting up of the car. Tomoki seemed to have several troubles in the engine, so, I hope HONDA engineers will figure out the solution. I am sure they will on time. I have no anxiety on the season opener with Team Dandelion Racing! I will be ready mentally and physically for the race.
