Asian pay-television broadcaster Star Sports has reached an agreement with Japan Race Promotion for live rights in India to its Super Formula motor racing series.
Through the deal with Super Formula promoter JRP, the Japanese series becomes the only motor racing competition outside of Formula One to benefit from live broadcasting in India.
Narain Karthikeyan (pictured), India’s first ever Formula One driver, is currently participating in the series for Team Impul Hoshino Racing. Terms of the agreement with Star were not disclosed.
“This association is in line with our aim of creating a multi-sport culture in India and we’re confident that the telecast of this exciting championship will fuel the growth of motorsports viewing in the country,” Nitin Kukreja, president of sports at Star India, said. “Narain’s participation in the championship along with the other celebrated names has already sparked immense interest amongst the Indian audience.”
The next round of the 2014 Super Formula season takes place on September 14 at the Autopolis Circuit in Hita, Oita Prefecture.
Held across eight rounds in 2014, the driver roster of Super Formula, otherwise known as Formula Nippon, has previously included former F1 stars such as Michael Schumacher, Eddie Irvine, Pedro De La Rosa and Ralf Schumacher.