MUMBAI: Hero Motors has announced its association with F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan and his Formula One team.

Hero Motors will be sponsoring Narain Karthikeyan and his team for the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix to be held in India in October. Hero Motors has agreed to display its logo on Narain‘s racing car in the Grand Prix as a token of its association with the event.

Hero Motors MD Pankaj Munjal said, "Hero Motors is committed to be amongst the first Indian corporate houses to compete in the Indian Grand Prix and we are indeed very proud to be associated with Narain Karthikeyan and Hispania Racing Team (HRT). The alliance with the HRT will provide a unique platform for the group to communicate its extensive competencies to a global audience.

"The association with Narain Karthikeyan and HRT team has a lot of synergies in our core values for which we are known for and truly reflects our commitment towards excellence, speed, growth and innovation.

"We operate in global markets as a truly home grown global corporate house and it gives us immense pleasure to endorse Narain Karthikeyan who is also the first Indian F1 driver who has made his presence felt at an early age of 19 years" Formula One the company says is one of the few sports in the world which has a global audience of millions and enjoys the same recognition in India as anywhere in the world. The upcoming Grand Prix in India provides the precise opportunity for Hero Motors to reinforce its core values. Formula One is a game of speed and passion. The sport is set to make its debut in India this October and the association with Narain Karthikeyan and his team gives Hero Motors the perfect opportunity to present itself to the global audience.

"The maiden Indian Grand Prix has given us an opportunity to represent ourselves in the international platform promoting the fastest Indian in the world. We are proud of the fact that we will be a part of the historic event when F1 makes its debut in India. Hero Motors always believe in achieving the best and achieve the highest standards in performance, quality and relationships. Narain‘s personality and passion towards speed and adventure perfectly syncs with what we want to achieve" adds Munjal

Karthikeyan said, "Hero is one of the oldest and most prominent Indian brands and I am pleased to be associated with it. Today is a very important step in the right direction for motor sports in the country. The sport has come a long way since the day I started racing. Viewership has gone up a lot, and corporate support is now more forthcoming. Formula One is in its nascent stage in India with great potential waiting to be explored. I hope with the support from Hero Motors we will be able to scale new milestones in the times to come".

The Indian Grand Prix will be held in Greater Noida, India from 28 - 30 October 2011.