Narain Karthikeyan to race in AutoGP at Monza 

Former F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan has been invited by Austria's Zele Racing Team to take part in 2013 Auto GP World Series opening round in Monza. After spending two years with HRT in F1, Narain was left without a drive as HRT shut down its operations during the 2012 winter. Narain even entered talks with Force India but the Indian outfit finalised its former driver Adrian Sutil for 2013 leaving Narain to look for other options like Indy.

Meanwhile Michael Zele has invited Narain to try the newly revised AutoGP series formula in Monza and decide upon continuing for the full season. The Lola built AutoGP car is basicaly similar to A1 GP cars which Narain raced in 2007–2008 season. Narain´s F1 experience has interested Zele to pull the Indian driver into the series which is heavily revamped and revised. 

Narain Karthikeyan: "I was looking forward to continuing my Formula 1 career in 2013 with HRT. Unfortunately circumstances within the team lead to the operation shutting down. I have decided to accept the invitation from Michael, as it keeps me driving a high powered single seater, and with a heavily revised car for 2013, lap times are said to be on par with other single seater series. I´ve worked with Zele Racing before, and have known Michael for a long time. I´m looking forward to the first race in Monza, as it´s a track I know well". 

Michael Zele: "I have known Narain for some time and it is great that we can now work together. As a former Formula 1 driver, he has great experience and should adapt and perform well in the limited track time available in Monza”. 

Enzo Coloni: “I´m very proud that an outstanding personality like Narain Karthikeyan decided to join Auto GP. Throughout the years, he proved his charisma in motorsports and he will definitely contribute to the championship´s growth. The confrontation between many young drivers and a racing veteran like him will provide great motivation to both and produce some exciting and spectacular races, in the Auto GP fashion”.