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Double header brings mixed luck for Karthikeyan

As the lights signaled the start of the first of two races in the Autosport British Formula 3 Championship in Wales on Saturday, Narain Karthikeyan stalled his Carlin Motorsport Dallara on the grid, causing mayhem behind as cars swerved to avoid a collision. Jenson Button launched himself from 2nd on the grid into the lead over poleman Kristian Kolby and set about building up a commanding lead of 5 seconds by lap 10.

Meanwhile, Karthikeyan's team mate, Michael Bentwood, took advantage of the confusion at the start to run 4th behind Championship leader Luciano Burti whilst Marc Hynes, winner of the Marlboro Masters last weekend in Holland, struggled in 8th place.

Karthikeyan managed to restart in last place and recorded the 3rd fastest race time as he chased the cars at the back of the pack. On lap 11, notice of a stop-go penalty against race leader Jenson Button was posted by the race organisers and the young Britain was forced to relinquish the lead and come into the pits. This promoted Kolby to race leader, followed by Burti and Bentwood, Button rejoining in 4th place.

Button's pace was more than a match for Bentwood and series leader Burti and he took them with ease to finish 2nd overall. Karthikeyan did all he could to progress up the field, passing John Bender, Japan's Takumo Sato and Brazilian Aluizio Coelho to finish 12th overall but out of the points.

In the second race of the double header, on Sunday, Narain Karthikeyan got the jump on Championship leader, Jackie Stewart Racing's Luciano Burti, after the safety car dived into the pits on lap 5 of the second race here at Pembrey in Wales today but there was nothing he could do from 9th place on the grid to stop his arch rival, Britain's Jenson Button, from inheriting the race win and Karthikeyan's 3rd place in the Championship.

Jenson Button dominated the race from pole position and was followed home by Fortec team mates Matt Davies and Kristian Kolby with Zandvoort winner Marc Hynes 4th and Karthikeyan's team mate Michael Bentwood 5th.

Karthikeyan was lying in 8th place behind Burti after Brazilian Aluizio Coelho spun off the track avoiding Michael Bentwood's swerving car on the exit to Honda curve and on the restart, he dived inside Burti's car to take and hold 7th position in the race.

Narain Karthikeyan said, "Beating Luciano today was really not a problem, but that meant a lot to me. I know that he has been driving the Stewart Ford F1 car in testing and has impressed everybody with his performance - but it was Jenson that I was really gunning for. I am a little disappointed of course but I know that I can beat them all given the right circumstances. The Championship has four races left to run and I aim to be on the winners' rostrum again!"