Jordan confirms Monteiro, Karthikeyan.

Jordan Grand Prix will head into its final season of Formula One racing with its hopes relying on the talents of two rookie drivers, after unveiling Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan as its 2005 line-up.

The team, which a week ago was still unsure of its future before being 'rescued' by the arrival of Alex Shnaider's Midland Group, announced the signings after a couple of days of speculation, but still managed to surprise the F1 world by not opting for either of the pilots - Timo Glock and Robert Doornbos - with which it had been most strongly linked in recent weeks.

Karthikeyan's arrival heralds the much-hyped first appearance of an Indian in the top echelon of motorsport, paving the way for Formula One to push ahead with oft-mooted plans to expand into the sub-continent. Monteiro adds to Portugal's heritage in the category, although the country has not been represented since Pedro Lamy departed nearly ten years ago. Both Monteiro and Karthikeyan raced in the Nissan World Series last year, but both have previous F1 experience through testing appearances with Minardi and Jaguar respectively..

Both drivers have also passed through the ranks of the Carlin Motorsport academy on their way to the top flight - Karthikeyan notably in F3 and Monteiro in FNissan - leaving Jordan's recently-appointed sporting director Trevor Carlin well placed to comment on his new signings.

"I know Narain very well because he drove for me in 1998, and I have run him in various formulas every year since then, while Tiago has also raced for me before," he said, "We have been very lucky to put together a driver line-up which gives us a really strong package in terms of youth, technical ability, speed and talent."

"Narain and I have won a lot of races together. He's very competitive, a super-quick driver, sometimes a little bit raw and wild in his style but he is a proven race winner and I am confident that in our environment he will thrive. He's ready for F1 now I think he'll do a good job for us.

"Tiago raced in the Nissan Dallara World Series last season and did a fantastic job, finishing second in the championship, winning five races. He is a super-professional and, as a driver, he's very good technically. We will see him work well with the team to get the best out of the car and improve it. He's extremely fit and has a very good race pace, rarely makes mistakes and brings us a very technically competent, polished and consistent package. This is the chance for him to prove himself and make people notice him. He's ready to make a big impression."

Both drivers will undoubtedly have been looked at because of their ability to open new markets in which the team can chase sponsorship, but there is no doubt that either deserves a shot in F1 based on previous performances.

The signings do, however, scotch talk that BAR test driver Anthony Davidson may be tempted to the Silverstone-based team because of his previous association with Carlin. It remains to be seen whether Glock, who has been talking about a possible Champ Car test, or Doornbos, who could become a target for Minardi, will be retained in a reserve/test role.