Karthikeyan stays with Williams as tester.

WilliamsF1 confirmed the re-appointment of Narain Karthikeyan on Thursday as one of the team's official test drivers' for 2007.

Karthikeyan, who joined the squad in 2006, will, the team reckon, add 'a vital element' of continuity to their test and development programme as they prepare to form a new technical alliance with Toyota.

Karthikeyan piloted the partnership's first collaborative efforts on track at Silverstone earlier this month with an interim FW28B carrying the Toyota V8 and the new Williams gearbox and he will continue to spearhead the intensive testing programme into 2007 with the launch of the FW29. Furthermore his experience with the Toyota-powered Jordan in 2005 should also be of benefit.

"Next year will be an important year for Williams with the transition to Toyota power and so it is now clear that we will be well positioned with the continuity and benefit of Narain's experience," said WilliamsF1 team principal, Sir Frank Williams.

"His appointment is extremely popular within the team because he is hard working, conscientious and capable in the car. It is also significant that Narain carries with him India's growing Formula One interests, which is very exciting."

For his part, Karthikeyan added that while he would prefer to race, he is still happy to remain apart of the WilliamsF1 set-up.

"Naturally as a racing driver, my first priority is to compete, but I would far rather test with a leading team than accept a race seat that offered no real potential to learn and develop," he explained. "Next season is extremely important for Williams with the new partners at Toyota. Williams is a team that exists only to race and I hope that whatever I can contribute to this ultimate objective will be valued by the team."