Austria’s second highest ranked racing team, Zele Racing, presented itself to its home fans on Monday. The team, which is racing in the AutoGP World Series this season, held its official team presentation at Seepark Hotel in Klagenfurt and fans, former motorsport-boffins and the media all turned up in numbers.

Zele Racing introduced its drivers, former F1 star Narain Karthikeyan and reigning F2 world champion Luciano Bacheta, as well as its 600 HP racing cars to the crowd. Following an autograph session, the roaring engines excited the fans, before the press took their shots of the drivers, VIPs and sponsors.  Motorracing legends like Walter Penker, Hubert Stromberger or hill racing champion Hermann Waldy were delighted. “What Michael (Zele) has managed to set up, is highly impressive”, Penker said, who used to run successful F3 and Formula 3000 teams himself.

Zele started servicing race cars in the late 1990ies and entered motorracing himself in 2001. This year, the Carinthian scuderia is well positioned, „because Luciano is super talented and Narain has been a friend for years. We have always wanted to do something together and I am happy that it has now worked out.” The Indian former Jordan F1 and HRT F1 driver feels at home with the Bleiburg-based team saying: “The atmosphere in the team is excellent and it’s a lot of fun being part of it. AutoGP is a good platform for me after the continuation of my F1 engagement fell through last minute, when the team pulled out.”

Zele Racing is now preparing for the next race at the start of June in Silverstone. “We all know and love Silverstone. Thus, expectations are high”, Luciano Bacheta said, who already won in Marrakech this season.

Following problems with overheating tires in qualifying both Zele-Racing cars were far down the grid. Despite a great start, Narain only finished eighth in the first run due to engine misfire. Having secured Pole Position for the second, he led the pack for several laps, before the grip on the rear tires was gone. The Indian crossed the line in fourth to cut the losses. “We were not free of problems and thus not quick enough all weekend. A podium finish was possible in the second race, but our pit stop took too long. Now we have to improve in all respects, but I know we can do that.”

Marrakech race winner Luciano was pushed off the track in the dying stages of the opening event by Robert Visiou and consequently had to start last in the second run. However, the talented Brit battled his way through the field to finish ninth. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a weekend without points, so it’s really disappointing. But we’re going to a track we all know now and love – Silverstone.”

Consequently team boss Michael Zele was disappointed: „That was a sad weekend for us. We had big troubles with the tyre temperatures and thus lacked the necessary pace. Regardless, Narain could have made the podium, but lost too much time in the pits. I am sorry for our two top drivers, but the Hungaroring does not seem to suit us. We will attack again in Silverstone.“

Following Hungary’s double-header, Luciano is fifth in the championship standings with 45 points and Narain sixth (33 pts). The team will no head home for Monday afternoon’s official public team presentation in Klagenfurt, Carinthia. Harry Miltner

Following a tire-hampered qualifying both Zele-Racing cars started further down the grid – Karthikeyan from P7, Bacheta from P10. However, both drivers showed great starts and made great leaps forward. Ahead of the pit stops Narain was fourth, while Luciano was battling in sixth.

Unfortunately, halfway through the race, Narain started to suffer from engine problems and bravely battled to see the chequered flag. “We had misfiring throughout the second half of the race. On the penultimate lap the engine even stopped for a good ten seconds and then picked up again.” Karthikeyan eventually crossed the line in eighth, securing himself Pole Position for the second run, which will be started in reverse order.

Also Luciano was unlucky, as he was in a close fight with Robert Visiou in the final stages, which would have meant an all-Zele first row for race two. But the Romanian did not leave him enough space in the wheel-to-wheel duel pushing him off the track and into a spin. “He was on cold tires and I was a lot faster than him. Obviously, he was defending very hard and he pushed me a little bit off, so I had nowhere to go. It was unfortunate, but that’s racing.”

Understandably, team boss Michael Zele was discontent saying: „Narain’s car had bad misfiring, which cost him dearly. On some laps his engine was even off at the end of the starting straight. As we already found out, the master relay failed and so the power supply for the engine was cut off. Considering the circumstances Pole for race two is actually a good result. And Luciano’s DNF is also a pity, because he would have been next to Narain in the first row.”

Speaking straight after the end of the session, team boss Michael Zele was less than impressed saying: “We have expected a lot more than P7 and P10, which are certainly not for our two drivers.”

A first analysis indicated that the tires were the main cause for the mediocre display. “We believe that there was a problem with the tyre temperatures and their pressure. Obviously, we will now have to sit down, go over the collected data and the feedback from the drivers to be in a better position on Sunday”, Zele added.

Despite the low grid position, the team is still confident they can perform well, as Estonian driver Sten Pentus came from ninth on the grid to finish fourth last year.

“It was a bit difficult today, so we will have to make some changes overnight. Nonetheless, there is still a chance since most of us are really close together. So I am still confident for Sunday”, Karthikeyan said looking ahead to the races.

At the Hungaroring both AutoGP races take place on Sunday, on in the morning, the other early afternoon.

Luciano Bacheta won his first AutoGP World Series race Sunday in Marrakech, Morocco, also the season’s first triumph for Zele Racing. Narain Karthikeyan was hit by De Jong early in the race.
Luciano started from Pole Position, but saw his lead vanish, when the Safety Car came out. After the re-start the 22-year-old Brit was on third, but fought his way back to the top. He avoided any incidents in a crash-stricken event to celebrate his maiden victory in the series. „It’s a great feeling. I actually don’t like overtaking, but looking back on it, it was quite enjoyable. (laughing). It was a tough race with many incidents, but we did a great job, stayed out of trouble. You always value this kind of races, once they are finished. There are still things, I have to work on, but today I am happy for the team and for myself.”

Narain lost a spot, when the lights went out, but quickly found his speed and heavily attacked the frontrunners. Trying to overtake De Jong, he was pushed off the track by the Dutchman and lost too much time due to a puncture, so the team decided to retire the car. “The driving standards in this championship are appalling at times. I passed this guy and he just hit my side, although I gave him enough room. That’s really disappointing, because we had the fastest car out there.”

Team boss Michael Zele was delighted with the team’s first victory, but sorry for Narain’s DNF: „It’s a great relief to final win a race. We were pretty close several times, but previously silly mishaps had always stopped us. That Narain was hit by De Jong is particularly sad, because he was the fastest car in Marrakech all weekend. Narain and the car were absolutely top.”

In the drivers’ standings Bacheta is now fourth (41 points), while Karthikeyan hails from eighth (19). Zele Racing are fourth in the team standings (60).

Result Race 2 Auto GP Round Two Marrakesh
1. BACHETA (GBR) – ZELE RACING
2. Ghirelli (ITA) – Super Nova International
3. Sato (JPN) – Euronova Racing
4. Visiou (ROM) – Ghinazi Motorsport
5. Snegirev (RUS) – Virtuosi Racing
6. Spavone (ITA) – Super Nova International
6. Van Buuren (NED) – Manor MP Motorsport
7. Roda (ITA) – Virtuosi Racing
8. Kuroda (JPN) – Euronova Racing
out: KARTHIKEYAN (IND) – ZELE RACING

Fastest Lap: Ghirelli

Despite starting from the front, the first of two races in Marrakech, Morocco, has not worked out as well as expected for Austrian team Zele Racing: Narain Karthikeyan finished sixth, while teammate Luciano Bacheta came eighth.

Narain was dominant in free practice and qualifying, earning himself a spot in the front row. However, problems changing the left front wheel cost him dearly and the Indian could only secure sixth place and vital points for the championship thanks to top lap times in the dying stages of the race. “I had a lot of wheelspin at the start and quickly dropped back. I could catch up, but lost a lot of time in the pits. It’s pretty unfortunate, as I have now missed out on two podium finishes due to technical problems. But I will attack again tomorrow and hope all goes well.”

Luciano Bacheta’s race was entirely different, as the 22-year-old Brit was further down the grid after qualifying. But Bacheta was battling hard, showing some outstanding wheel-to-wheel duels, to finish eighth. “I was far down at the start, so we pitted really early. However, that meant, I had to do the race with really worn-out tires. We managed to get up to 8th, so I will start from Pole tomorrow and am still super motivated, as we are in for a win.”

Team boss Michael Zele was not impressed with his outfit’s display saying: „We cannot be content, since Narain could have won the race single-handedly. Instead, he finished sixth, 14 seconds adrift the winner, despite setting a new lap record. His pitstop was a disaster, but these things happen. Luciano started from far down the grid, so P8, and thus Pole Position for tomorrow, is acceptable.”

Result Race 1 Auto GP Round Two Marrakesh
1. Campana (ITA) – Ibiza Racing
2. De Jong (NED) – Manor MP Motorsport
3. Sato (JPN) – Euronova Racing
4. Agostini (ITA) – Manor MP Motorsport5. Spavone (ITA) – Super Nova International
6. KARTHIKEYAN (IND) – ZELE RACING
7.  Ghirelli (ITA) – Super Nova International
8. BACHETA (GBR) – ZELE RACING

Fastest Lap: KARTHIKEYAN 1:28.450

Results Qualifying AutoGP Round Two Marrakesh
1. Campana (ITA) – Ibiza Racing 1:29.104
2. KARTHIKEYAN (IND) – ZELE RACING+0,041
3. Agostini (ITA) – Manor MP Motorsport  + 0,172
4. De Jong (NED) – Manor MP Motorsport + 0,238
5. Visiou (ROM) – Ghinzani Motorsport + 0,373
6. Sato (JPN) – Euronova Racing + 0,448
7. Ghirelli (ITA) – Super Nova Racing + 0,607
8. Spavone (ITA) – Super Nova Racing + 0,944
9. BACHETA (GBR) – ZELE RACING + 1,042

Luciano Bacheta crossed the finish line as runner-up in only his second AutoGP race in Monza on Sunday. Team mate Narain Karthikeyan fell victim to braking problems.

Bacheta opened the season on eighth place in his debut race Saturday, which earned him Pole Position for race two. In heavy rain, he led the pack from the start, but was overtaken by dominating Kimiya Sato in lap. Nonetheless, the 22-year-old Brit made no mistake in the wet conditions to come second in only his second race in AutoGP. “I am delighted with the result, finishing on the podium in my first racing weekend in the series is great“, Bacheta was all smiles.

Unfortunately, team mate Narain Karthikeyan could not capitalise on P4 on the starting grid, as he was suffering from braking issues and had to retire early. “I am very sad, because the car setup in these wet conditions was very good. But then a problem with the brakes occurred and I was forced to retire”, Karthikeyan expressed his disappointment.

Team boss Michael Zele summarised the weekend „with mixed feelings. Luciano showed what we had expected. We knew that he was able to win and he proved that today. It’s a pity for Narain, because he was on form and could have made the podium. We had already changed the brakes in the morning, but braking issues in Monza are simply too risky. But both cars were pretty fast, which leaves us confident for the next races in Marrakech.”

In the overall standings, Bacheta has moved up to fifth (19 points), while Karthikeyan is seventh (10 points). In the team standings, Zele Racing are currently fourth.

Result AutoGP Race 2 Monza:
1. Sato (JPN) – Euronova Racing
2. BACHETA (GBR) – ZELE RACING
3. Ghirelli (ITA) – Super Nova Racing
4. Campana (ITA) – Ibiza Racing
5. Agostini (ITA) – Manor MP Motorsport
6. Visoiu (ROM) – Ghinzani Motorsport
7. Kuroda (JPN) – Euronova Racing
8. La Rosa (ITA) – MLR 71

At the AutoGP 2013 season opener in Monza both Zele drivers finished in the top eight. Former F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan recovered from a collision at the start to come fifth, while Luciano Bacheta placed eighth, which puts him on Pole Position for Sunday’s second race. Narain will start from P4.

After a qualifying session hampered by tyre problems, the drivers were only 10th (Luciano) and 12th (Narain) on the grid. Right after the start, ahead of the first chicane, Narain was spun by a rival and dropped to the bottom of the field. While Luciano was forcing his way up to third, Narain stopped early.

Building on his F1 experience, the Indian fought back, gaining spot by spot. Bacheta was held up in traffic before his obligatory stop and exited the pits on cold tires, which made it impossible to keep up with his immediate rivals. Coming eighth though, he will be on Pole for Sunday’s event.“I am a bit sad, as I was already on P3. But following my stop, I stood no chance against my rivals with warm tires. Ahead of the pit stop I was quite nervous, as it was a career first. But everything went well“, Bacheta said

Narain pleased to finish P5. “I could not see who bumped into me at the start. But our car was much faster this time and our strategy was perfect. After all, it is quite something to move up from last to fifth in the end”, Karthikeyan was all smiles.

Teamboss Michael Zele was delighted about the opener: „I am very content. Narain showed a strong race and Luciano was unfortunate after his stop to come out in a group of rivals, as his tires were still cold.”

Result AutoGP Race 1 Monza:
1. Campana (ITA) – Ibiza Racing
2. Sato (JPN) – Euronova Racing
3. Ghirelli (ITA) – Super Nova Int.
4. Visoiu (ROM) – Ghinzani Motorsport
5. KARTHIKEYAN (IND) – ZELE RACING
6. Spavone (ITA) – Super Nova Int.
7. Agostini (ITA) – Manor MP Motorsport
8. BACHETA (GBR) – ZELE RACING

Zele Racing has invited Narain Karthikeyan to join them and compete in the first round

of the 2013 AutoGP World Series at Monza, Italy.

In 2005, Karthikeyan became the first Indian driver in the history of Formula One,

making his debut with Jordan F1. He extended his spell in motor racing’s elite class as

the third driver for Williams F1 in 2006 & 07, before entering the A1GP World Cup of

Motorsport with Team India, winning two races along the way.

He returned to Formula 1 in 2011 & 2012 with HRT, but fell victim to the Spanish

team’s withdrawal from the sport ahead of the 2013 season. Hence the Indian driver

has therefore decided to test new waters and take on a new challenge with Zele

Racing, a well-established Austrian racing team, competing in the Auto GP World

Series.

“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,” Narain said.

Zele Racing, which was founded by former motorbike racer Hermann Zele and his son

Michael in 2001, is looking back on a successful history in motor racing including the

World Series by Nissan, the Superfund Euro3000, the LeMans Series and AutoGP, of

course.

“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”, team boss Zele said.

Also Narain’s new team mate, F2 2012 champion Luciano Bacheta is delighted saying:

“It’s great to find out that I’ll be working alongside Narain this year. We will be pushing

each other hard and it will benefit the team a lot by having two strong drivers.

Following my racing in India over the winter and my ancestry the synergy is extremely

exciting.”

Auto GP is managed and promoted by Coloni Motorsport and will be running eight

rounds, featuring two races every race weekend at each venue with 21 cars registered.

Notable past champions include Lotus Formula 1 star Romain Grosjean in 2010 and

his success helped him to spring board back to Formula 1. The season starts on

March 24th in Monza, Italy, and finishes on October 6th in Brno, Czech Republic.