Jordan’s Formula One drivers Narain Karthikeyan, left, and Tiago Monteiro during the presentation of their new racing car just days before the Australian Grand Prix at the Red Square in Moscow on Feb. 25. Karthikeyan will make his debut in the Australian Grand Prix on March 6. (Photo: AFP)

Silverstone, Britain : Nicky Pastorelli, who borrowed Narain Karthikeyan’s tri-colored helmet for a Formula One test drive a few days ago, has been signed as a test driver, Jordan announced on Feb. 22.

Pastorelli, 21, is the reigning Euro 3000 champion who spent 29 laps aboard the Jordan EJ15 last week on the sidelines of the official team test at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

“I am very excited about this opportunity and I would like to thank Jordan for placing their trust and confidence in me,” said Pastorelli.

“Getting some laps in the car at the Barcelona test last week was an unexpected but fantastic experience and I want to do a good job for the team now as an official test driver. I’m looking forward to my next F1 outing,” he said.

Pastorelli is the first driver to be officially included in the ‘Young Driver Program’ initiated by Midland F1 to help promising junior drivers develop their talent in preparation for entry to Formula One.

“We have been watching with interest the development of Nicky’s career,” said Colin Kolles, Managing Director of Jordan Grand Prix. “He’s quick and has demonstrated that he is a winner, so we are pleased to be able to bring him on with the opportunity to learn F1 as our test driver. We’re looking forward to working with him.”

Earlier, Karthikeyan put up an improved performance in the timesheets on the fourth and final day of Team Jordan’s test at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona on Feb. 18 when he did 83 rounds. Karthikeyan finished at the best lap timing of 1:16.999 seconds.