Team Williams F1 announces Tata Group as major Indian sponsor brand ambassador Narain Karthikeyan signed as the fourth driver
January 27, 2006

• Tata Group is the first Indian sponsor to be associated with Team Williams F1
• A major breakthrough for Narain in his Formula One career

The Tata Group has entered in a major new sponsorship association with Team Williams F1. As a result of this association, brand ambassador Narain Karthikeyan has been signed as the second test and reserve driver by Williams F1 team. The Tata Group has once again reaffirmed its continued support to Narain Karthikeyan as he takes another important step in his budding Formula One career.

Narain's appointment as the second test driver for Team Williams implies that he along with Alexander Wurz will have to share the test driver's role for the 19 races in the F1 calendar in 2006. Australian Mark Webber and Germany's Nico Rosberg are the two main drivers for Williams and the test/reserve driver will fill in should either be unable to race.

This is also the first time that Team Williams F1 has associated itself in a major sponsorship deal with an Indian sponsor. The Tata Group stands to benefit immensely with this association, as the Tata brand would be displayed prominently on the FW28's nose, the drivers' helmets and overalls, as well as on various locations across the team environment.

In particular, the Tata Group will use the partnership to illustrate its technical proficiencies through a range of initiatives, including software development and CAD design. The union of Williams, a niche British engineering company and the industrial muscle of Tata, promises to deliver a formidable range of benefits to both parties.

Says Romit Chaterji, senior vice president, corporate affairs, Tata Services, "The Tata Group is committed to be amongst the first Indian corporate houses to compete in the global arena and we are indeed very proud to be associated with Team Williams and are thankful to Sir Frank Williams and his entire team. The alliance with the WilliamsF1 Team will provide an unique platform for the Group to communicate its blanket of competencies to a global audience."

Speaking on Narain,  Chaterji said, "The Tata Group has a long-standing association with Narain Karthikeyan and we have actively supported him in the last four years. We were also one of the principal sponsors in his maiden foray into F1 last year. For a rookie, Narain's performance with Jordan F1 has been very impressive and that has been taken note by legends like Bernie Ecclestone and Sir Frank Williams. While it is unfortunate that he has not been able to secure a permanent berth this season, but we are confident that with his talent, grit and determination, Narain would be able to showcase his skills and learn a lot with a superior team like Williams F1."

Sir Frank Williams, team principal of the WilliamsF1 Team, confirmed, "To welcome a company of Tata's calibre to the Williams sponsor community is enormously satisfying. Formula One will not only deliver sound business to business opportunities to the Group, but the team will also benefit from their considerable expertise in various technical fields.

Speaking on Narain, Sir Frank Williams said, "Narain's brief period in the car in December 2005, during which he provided valuable feedback, made a very distinct impression on our engineers. Have a year's GP racing and testing to his credit is also advantageous to us so I am happy to confirm the appointment of Narain to our team."

Narain Karthikeyan has given Indian motorsport a sheen that never existed before him. In the years to come there might be others who will also make it right up there. For them he has created a template of the road map to the pinnacle. After an impressive first season with Jordan F1, Narain stands on the threshold of an important journey. He has been showered praises from the great Sir Frank Williams, head of Williams F1, the first test and reserved driver.

Says Narain Karthikeyan, after being selected as the second test driver for Team Williams F1, "I am extremely happy at this new breakthrough in my F1 career. This is a big thing for me. I share a long-standing association with the Tata Group. They have stood by me at all times and once again, it is the Tata Group that has come forward and supported me in my pursuit of this F1 journey. The ideal scenario would have been to be a race driver. But being part of a superior team like Williams and under the guidance of a great legend by Sir Frank Williams, I am sure I would be able to gain much needed experience and improve my chances for a permanent berth in 2007."

In December 2005, Narain put in a scintillating performance while testing for Williams. Narain put in 49 laps at the Jerez Circuit in Spain to finish a creditable fifth in the timesheets, four places ahead of official driver German rookie Nico Rosberg, son of legendary F1 driver Keke Rosberg. That promoted Williams to call him for more tests and Narain reposed that faith by being second in the time sheets.