Narain Karthikeyan, the country's first Formula One driver, has made way for rookie Parthiva Sureshwaren in A1 Team India as it headed to Sydney this week for the seventh race of the A1 Grand Prix.
Karthikeyan, who scored four points for India at the A1GP in Taupo, New Zealand, will be unable to attend the Australian round due to his F1 commitments and Sureshwaren will take up racing duties for the entire week at the Eastern Creek circuit.
Sureshwaren has gained varied experience in motor racing since becoming Indian National Karting champion in 1998. Sureshwaren, who made his debut with the team in the Rookie Session in Indonesia, has also competed in the Indian National Formula Maruti Championship and British Formula Ford Winter Series.
Sureshwaren, the runner-up in the Formula Asia Championship and Rookie of the Year in 2000, said he is excited to represent the country.
"I'm really excited to be racing for India in Australia. A1GP is a great championship and it's an honour to be able to represent my country," he said on Wednesday.
"I took part in the Rookie Session in Indonesia and worked really well with the team, so I'm feeling positive that we can have a good result in Sydney," Sureshwaren said.
"Narain called me earlier this week to wish me good luck and to pass on a few tips about racing in A1GP, so I hope this will help me bring success to A1 Team India," he added.
A1 Team India seatholder Yohann Setna praised Sureshwaren for his impressive performance in the Rookie Session in Indonesia.
"Parthiva impressed the team with a solid performance after just a few laps in the car in Indonesia, and I'm confident that he will be able to progress further in Australia," he said.
"The whole team is still on a high after scoring our first points at the last race in New Zealand, but we are focused on carrying this positive momentum into this weekend.
"Narain did a great job for us, and provided the team with some good feedback on the car which we can capitalise on here," he added.
The race will mark A1GP's second visit to the Eastern Creek raceway, which features tight and twisting corners over an undulating track, presenting a challenge both physically and mentally for the driver.
