London: Williams can rope in Narain Karthikeyan as a pay driver for the new Formula One season as the F1 team is on a lookout for drivers for test and reserve positions.
The possibility of Narain making it to the Williams team has strengthened after its chief Frank Williams said that they will run a third car in 2006.
A number of pay drivers who may be considered, include Narain, Christijan Albers and Robert Doornbos - all of whom raced in F1 this year.
Recently the F1 teams had voted to allow the bottom six teams in the Constructors Championship to continue running a third car on the Friday of a Grand Prix weekend, despite attempts by FIA president Max Mosley to eliminate the practice.
Williams, whose team finished fifth in the standings this season, said even though it will be a financial burden for them to do so, running a third car is something they have to do.
"Life as a truly independent team is materially different now. We've no sugar daddy to fall back on, not that we really ever did, but BMW did give us the engine free, and free cars, and all of that does make a difference to one's budget," Williams said.
One option for the team is to hire a pay driver for its test and reserve position.
Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia carried out third driver duties for Williams in 2005 but he is not expected to return.
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