Narain Karthikeyan

Narain Karthikeyan holds the distinction of being India's first Formula 1 driver, making his debut in 2005. Primarily associated with the Jordan and HRT teams, his F1 career spanned 48 starts across two distinct periods. While competitive machinery often eluded him, Karthikeyan's presence on the grid marked a significant milestone for motorsport in his home country. His best result was a fourth-place finish at the 2005 United States Grand Prix, albeit in a race heavily impacted by tire issues for much of the field.