Life in the fast lane — Karthikeyan gears up for Formula One test drive

“Currently Sepang (Malaysia) and Suzuka (Japan) are the only two F-1 destinations in Asia, but with the kind of market India is offering to the world car makers, F-1 racing is here to come,” Karthikeyan said.

Considered one of the best hopes from among F-3 drivers, Karthikeyan is gearing up for the all important F-1 test drive for Jaguar, the Ford brand in F-1 racing, in August-September this year.

“If I perform well and get few more opportunities, I can make it to the F-1 stage where there is no Asian driver at the moment,” he said.

Jaguar, a newly-formed team after Ford ended its contract with legendary Jackie Stewart after 1999 season, is still tuning its engines to come to terms with frantic competition.

Former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine and Johnny Herbert have been at the wheels of Jaguar in 2000 season with no spectacular success.

And, Karthikeyan wants to prove himself and take his place behind the wheels of turquoise green Jaguar by graduating to the F-1.

“That is a dream and it will open newer avenues in India if F-1 comes here,” he said.

Karthikeyan said his sponsors Ford would try to bring the big racing here if he makes to F-1.

But he is not put off by numerous bottlenecks and governmental delays in India. “I don’t understand all that. What is wrong in having motor racing in India. It’s a sport which is growing bigger and interest is also going up,” Karthikeyan said referring to the failed plans of having a F-1 track in Calcutta.

The country can earn $80-100 million of foreign exchange in just one week if F-1 is staged here, the ace driver noted, but said the track should be located either in Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore.

Karthikeyan will fly to London on Sunday to get ready in time for the remaining seven races with the next race slated for July 3.

The Indian has 56 points from seven races including three podium finishes for third position.

“I can possibly catch hold of second-placed driver and mathematically also the top one but it will be difficult,” he said.

Antonio Pizzonia of Brazil is leading the F-3 championship with 111 points and is followed by Tomas Scheckter (92) of South Africa. Tomas is the son of former World champion Jody Scheckter who won the title in 1980.

About improving his score, Karthikeyan said: “I need to win now in the remaining five races in Britain and one each in Belgium and Holland.”

Karthikeyan finished sixth at the Silverstone in May and wants to improve on that during the two more races coming up at the infamous track that witnessed current F-1 race leader Michael Schumacher crashing at a curve in the 1999 season.

A broken leg effectively put Schumacher out of contention before he rejoined in Malaysia for the remaining two races.

“Silverstone is a boring track. I don’t find it impressive and may be for F-3 cars it is not so dangerous,” he said.

British Grand Prix is moving to new Brand Hachs from next season, where Karthikeyan has excelled twice in last season.

He won at Brand Hachs’ in the fifth and eighth races while managed just third position this year.

The driver was confident Jaguar F-1 and F-3 team will improve on the engine by the end of the season to have a good start next year. “A fourth place finish in Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo is a proof of that,” he said.

Jenson Button, the British teen sensation, running for Benetton, has given Karthikeyan a big hope of making it to F-1. “I beat him several times last year in F-3 but he got a chance to run in F-1 and now is making waves.”

“You have to be at the right place at the right time. British press and people are totally behind him and he is marketable,” Karthikeyan said.

“If he can do good job in F-1, I am comfident of doing the same,” he added.