Narain Karthikeyan at a Glance
- Net Worth (2025): $25 million
- Birthdate: January 14, 1977
- Birthplace: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Profession: Racing driver, Entrepreneur
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What is Narain Karthikeyan’s Net Worth?
Narain Karthikeyan at a GlanceNet Worth$25 millionBirthdateJanuary 14, 1977BirthplaceCoimbatore, Tamil Nadu, IndiaNationalityIndianProfessionRacing driver, EntrepreneurWhat is Narain Karthikeyan’s Net Worth?Narain Karthikeyan has a net worth of $25 million. He is India’s first Formula One driver and a successful entrepreneur. While his pioneering racing career established his international brand, his wealth is significantly derived from his successful business ventures.Karthikeyan co-founded DriveX, a digital-first platform for pre-owned two-wheelers. In 2022, TVS Motor Company acquired a 48% stake in the company, a deal that valued DriveX at ₹178 crore. This success followed his earlier co-founding of Leap Green Energy, a renewable energy company. His long-standing racing career was also supported by major endorsements, notably a significant partnership with the Tata Group.
Early Life
Narain Karthikeyan was born on January 14, 1977, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. He was immersed in motorsports from a young age. His father, Kakarla Karthikeyan Naidu, is a seven-time South India Rally champion. His family is also known for founding the PSG group of educational and industrial institutions. He attended Stanes Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School before moving to France to train at the Elf Winfield Racing School.
Career
Karthikeyan’s professional career began in 1993 in the Formula Maruti series. He quickly moved to Europe, winning the British Formula Ford Winter Series in 1994. His success continued, and he became the first Indian to win the Formula Asia International Series in 1996. This momentum led to his historic debut in Formula One with the Jordan Grand Prix team in 2005, making him the first driver from India to compete in the sport. During his rookie season, he secured his career-best F1 result, a fourth-place finish at the United States Grand Prix. He later served as a test driver for Williams F1 from 2006 to 2007 before returning to the grid with the Hispania Racing Team (HRT) for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.Karthikeyan’s career was not limited to Formula One. He represented A1 Team India, securing the team’s first-ever victory at Zhuhai, China, in 2007. In 2010, he became the first Indian-born driver to race in NASCAR, competing in the Camping World Truck Series and winning the ‘Most Popular Driver’ award. He also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009 and dominated the 2013 Auto GP series with five victories. For his contributions to Indian motorsports, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2010.
Following his full-time racing career, Narain Karthikeyan transitioned into entrepreneurship. He co-founded DriveX in 2020, a company focused on refurbishing and selling pre-owned two-wheelers. The company grew rapidly, and in 2022, TVS Motor Company invested ₹85.4 crore for a 48% stake. This deal set the company’s valuation at ₹178 crore. DriveX continues its expansion, with plans to operate 130 retail locations by mid-2025. Before DriveX, he also co-founded Leap Green Energy, a company specializing in renewable power.
