Air Jordan

IN a country that speeds without rules, we now have a racing hero who is set to rule the world of speed. Narain Karthikeyan will be the firs...

Written by Sandeep Dwivedi

February 6, 2005 12:00 AM IST

3 min read

IN a country that speeds without rules, we now have a racing hero who is set to rule the world of speed. Narain Karthikeyan will be the first Indian to race with a Formula One Team, Jordan. For first generation Formula One fans in India, Narain has given them a dream: that they could cheer for an Indian on a Grand Prix podium.

Narain remains undeterred by the fact that he has come to the sport rather late at the age of 28. He doesn8217;t believe he has already surpassed his potential by making the grade to racing in a Formula One circuit. He believes he has beaten the likes of Jenson Button in Formula 3 and he can do it again to take the chequered flag.

Narain won8217;t accept less than a win because the stakes are too high for him. Unlike Sania Mirza or even Irfan Pathan, Narain has millions of dollars riding on his car.

The world of Formula One is as much about sports as it is about doing serious business. Here the skill of driving at 360 kmph is the basic requirement. But that might just get you a test drive at a F1 practice course. The real test is your ability to negotiate the ridiculously exorbitant deals to get a place in a racing team.

But Narain has made that happen for himself. In the mercenary world of Formula One Narain will have to pay crores to prove himself before the racing teams start paying him.

Narain will pay Jordan between Rs 20 to 30 crore to race in 2005. This is the kind of money that finances one-tenth of India8217;s sports budget including year-long training, foreign trips for the entire sporting contingent and infrastructure maintenance around the country. But this isn8217;t a capitation fee racket but a normal pay-and-drive policy common in F1 where more than half of the 22 drivers first show the greenbucks and then get on the starting grid.

FOR those who are cynical that Narain will never earn those millions, he is convinced that his 12 years training will pay off. His father GR Karthikeyan, who was the Indian National Rally Champion, sent Narain to a racing school in France when he was 16. Alongside, he studied Business Administration in London. Combined with his years on the racing circuit in Europe and Asia, Narain is today ready to take on the ruthless but challenging world of Formula One.

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His friendship with Jordan8217;s sporting director Trevor Carlin that goes back to the days when they were on F3 circuit, had a role to play in Narain8217;s historic F1 jump. Narain in a Jordan car may not give Michael Schumacher sleepless nights8212;there are fears that the Indian will not last for more than a season on the F1 circuit. But after the Qatar and China Grand Prix, Narain will certainly increase the F1 fans headcount considerably.

After Sania Mirza at the Melbourne Grand Slam, India will be cheering for Narain Karthikeyan at the Melbourne Grand Prix on March 6. Now that8217;s what you call a grand start to a new year.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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