The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : `Montagny not to replace Narain'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 17, 2005

Sport

Sport - Racing : Motor

`Montagny not to replace Narain'

INDIANAPOLIS: The Jordan boss has ruled out the possibility of replacing Narain Karthikeyan with Renault `third' driver Franck Montagny.

Contrary to popular perception that Karthikeyan might have to swap his seat with Montagny, especially after his Portuguese teammate Tiago Monteiro outshone the Indian in the last few races, Jordan team manager Colin Kolles ruled out such a possibility at the French Grand Prix.

``If he (Montagny) does (drive at Magny Cours), it will be as third driver only,'' Kolles said.

Kolles also ruled out inking a 2006 engine deal with Mercedes-Benz. ``I can assure you that we will not have a German engine,'' he said.

Initially, Monteiro ran the risk of being sidelined with Karthikeyan dominating the initial races since his Grand Prix debut in Melbourne. But the Indian lost plot as Monteiro gradually established himself before creating a new record of most successive finishes by a rookie.

Kolles recently had harsh words for Karthikeyan, who he felt, needed to hurry up if he had to be in the formula one grid. He also hinted that Montagny might be asked to drive at the French Grand Prix next month at the expense of the Indian.

Karthikeyan subsequently had some exchange of words with Kolles who declared he was disappointed with the rookie's show.

Later the duo patched up and Karthikeyan said, ``we had some differences, we sorted them out and it's okay now.''

``Formula One is a hard world and you need to learn about every situation and I think I am doing that well. The only thing I can do is keep pushing on and try to better my team mate most of the time and then we see where we go,'' the Indian added.

Kolles, too later dismissed suggestion of a rift between himself and Karthikeyan. — UNI

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