While Jordan, now christened Midland, is unlikely to retain him, Williams could be the new home for India's Narain Karthikeyan [Images] in the next Formula One season.

Struggling with limited financial resource, Team boss Frank Williams hinted the team might go for hiring a 'pay driver' for its test and reserve positions and it is widely believed that Karthikeyan is one of the three drivers -- Dutch duo Christijan Albers and Robert Doornbos being the other two -- who would be considered for the next season.

On Tuesday, Williams announced his plans to run a third car on Fridays in 2006.

''Life as a truly independent team is materially different now'' Williams told Autosport-Atlas.

''We've no sugar daddy to fall back on, not that we really ever did, but BMW [Images] did give us the engine free, and free cars, and all of that does make a difference to one's budget.'' Meanwhile, after Jordan's new name Midland was accepted by the F1 Commission on Monday, the team announced that Nicky Pastorelli would be the team's Friday driver in 2006.

While both Karthikeyan and his Portuguese team mate Tiago Monteiro are not likely to be retained, Midland would consider Anthony Davidson, Takuma Sato and Albers for the 2006 driver lineup.

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