Narain Karthikeyan secured India’s first ever pole position in the Feature race of A1GP, World Cup of Motorsport, after pipping Robbie Kerr of the host nation in the qualifying session of the season-ending race at the Brands Hatch circuit here today.

Karthikeyan recorded 1 min 14:682 seconds in the second session to earn himself a chance to end the season on a winning note. Kerr finished 0.227 seconds behind the Indian to be placed second.

Karthikeyan slipped to overall fifth in the Sprint after Jonathan Summerton of the USA and Adam Carroll of Ireland raced brilliantly in the second session to pip the Indian.

Best lap

Kerr recorded a timing of 1:14:424 in his second session while Karthikeyan raced the best lap with 1:15:040 in the first session. Earlier, Karthikeyan had recorded the third fastest lap in the morning practice session, giving hints of what was in store for the Indian team.

In the last race in Shanghai, Karthikeyan was placed fourth in the Sprint and fifth in the Feature race. Elated after the session, Karthikeyan said he was happy with his performance and blamed the tyres for dropping to fifth in the Sprint.