Karthikeyan faces withdrawal of license
Three weeks is all there is to decide whether Narain Karthikeyan can continue driving and administer motor-sport in domestic and international events, after he and his drivers allegedly questioned the decision of stewards.
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Chennai: Three weeks is all there is to
decide whether Narain Karthikeyan can continue driving and
administer motor-sport in domestic and international events,
after he and his drivers allegedly questioned the decision of
stewards in an event here early this month.
FMSCI, national body for the sport and holder of NSA by
world body FIA, has objected to Karthikeyan and his two wards
Ashwin Sundar and Parthiva Sureshwaren, allegedly making
derogatory remarks against stewards decision at the MRF
Challenge championship at suburban Sriperumbudur.
After being served individual show cause notices, the
three drivers had submitted their views at a hearing by FMSCI
here on February 22.
They had reportedly accused the stewards of slapping a 15
minute penalty on Sureshwaren for not having attended the
mandatory "Drivers` briefing" on the day of the event.
Kashru Madan, FMSCI President said that the
Federation wanted to maintain transparency and fairness in
administering the sport, which is growing by leaps and bounds.
"We in FMSCI always want to be fair and transparent
towards the drivers because of whom the sport is thriving,
along with sponsors. We always try our best to protect their
interests.
"At the same time, we have to adhere to the statues and
the rules and look forward to cooperation of drivers in
upholding the prestige of the sport. With this in mind, we
have forwarded the relevant papers to FIA for their opinion,"
he said.
Karthikeyan, MRF brand ambassador and owner of NK Speed
Racing, Sundar, now competing in the German championship,
and Dubai based Sureshwaren, a former national champion, are
pursuing their careers with Indian licences.
"We expect to receive FIA`s advise on the
matter in three weeks, on receipt of which FMSCI will take a
final decision," Madan said.
Asked whether the licences could be withdrawn if FIA
decides so, he said, "We do not know. The rules are stringent
on such behaviour by drivers. FIA will be advising us. We have
discussed the matter with FMSCI Chairman Vijay Mallya before
forwarding the papers to the FIA."
"It is a delicate issue and we have moved the matter to
FIA, which has given us the sporting power. We want to be fair
to everyone connected with the sport and have therefore
referred the matter to FIA. Our decision will be based on FIA
recommendations and rules of the Code," he maintained.
If Karthikeyan and his wards lose their Indian licences,
it is not clear whether the former Formula 1 driver would be
able to coach and field his team to compete in domestic and
international events.
Presently, Karthikeyan owns a racing team supported by
Bharat Petroleum. He was also the brain behind Tata Motors
decision to hold a championship named "Vista Cup" (Indica
cars) before end of the year.
PTI
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