All things are possible in the world of Formula One.’’ That’s European Minardi boss Paul Stoddart’s verdict on Narain Karthikeyan’s chances with his team.In an exclusive interview to The Sunday Express, Stoddart had much praise for Narain, who tested recently with his team. Narain ‘‘acquitted himself well in the time he had’’ on his relatively brief acclimatisation run, Stoddart said.But added: ‘‘It wasn’t enough.’’ In fact, he said he hoped Narain and his team management were able to secure the ‘‘necessary commercial backing’’ that would allow him a proper testing programme with the team in 2004.‘‘It’s no great secret that any young driver trying to make his way in F1 these days needs financial backing,’’ Stoddart explained, adding, ‘‘Narain sure has driving talent and needs to fulfill the next criteria.’’His evaluation of Narain’s F1 prospects: ‘‘In terms of basic driving skills he was ‘good enough’’’. He however explained that often young non-European drivers lacked the knowledge of European F1 circuits, which still form the core of the calendar.According to Stoddart, the testing carried out by Minardi at Valleunga was the ‘‘ideal way to learn those circuits with a view to moving the driver up to a full race role the following year.’’Age, he said, was definitely not a factor, Stoddart ‘‘genuinely hoped that Narain could find the necessary backing to secure a testing, if not a race seat in the near future.’’For Stoddart, Narain’s chance with Minardi, who have a reputation of providing budding F1 an chance to drive, was based on a simple fact; recognising India as a massive market with an emerging interest in F1. ‘‘All things considered it seemed timely to give Narain a run — albeit brief — with us (Minardi),’’ he explained. ‘‘This hopefully should be a precursor to him (Narain) becoming more involved with testing for the team next season.’’As for now, Stoddart recommends that Narain takes on the role of F1 tester for a season with a view to stepping up to the race driver role the following year.
