If Bahrain can do it, why not India, asks Karthikeyan

No one would know how serious one ought to be to make it to Formula One racing than Williams F1 test driver Narain Karthikeyan....

No one would know how serious one ought to be to make it to Formula One racing than Williams F1 test driver Narain Karthikeyan. Having been there and done that, Karthikeyan, who drove for Jordan once, warns: 8220;One needs to be serious in regard to India being awarded a GP race in 2009.8221; Should the Indian GP organisers meet FOM8217;s demands, the race would become the fifth new venue to be added to the calendar in recent months. Valencia and Singapore will hold races for the first time in 2008, while Abu Dhabi will enters the fray in 2009, followed by South Korea a year later. The fastest Indian, who was in Pune, spoke to MICKY AIGNER about the proposed Indian GP in 2009. Excerpts:

8226;On whether India can pull it off this time?

The actual work starts now. To build a track in such a short time is the biggest challenge. Look, what the Indian Olympic Association has is a letter of intent and honestly there is more to it than just that. On the positive side, I hope the IOA can pull it off this time.

8226;But Hyderabad back in 2003 was so close yet so far8230;

Yes I was there, but then the Andhra chief minister lost the elections and dreams went up in smoke. Just to remind you, they Andhra Pradesh too had a similar letter of intent.

8226;Do you think a race track is feasible in New Dehi in a such short notice?

Why not? If Bahrain can do it, why not India? It is just that we need to look at the finances, the support from the government and other formalities. The moot question, however, is, if we India can garner support.

8226;F1 budgets are huge. Isn8217;t there a lingering feeling about where the funds would come from?

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Look, I do not know what the plan is. But I am sure things will be different this time. As for funds, I am not the person to ask.

8226; Is there a likelihood of having an Indian on the grid during the Indian GP?

I certainly am looking forward to the day when F1 is reality in India. I would love to drive in India. But there is no guarantee of a drive, competition is fierce and it8217;s anyone and anybody who has it in him that makes it.

8226; Besides you, is there anyone in line to be on the F1 grid from India?

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Yes, with Karun Chandok doing the GP 2 series and Armaan Ebrahim the Formula Renault Asia series, the second line of drivers are in place. It8217;s up to them to take it on from what they are doing.