Tags:
Journalism of Courage
If there was one question that India8217;s Formula One hopeful Narain Karthikeyan would like to dodge, it is: Will India ever produce a Formula One driver? Ask Narain, who until date has tested with Jaguar Racing and Jordan, and an optimistic 8216;yes8217; comes as the reply.
8216;8216;People just don8217;t seem to understand that talent alone is not enough,8217;8217; he informs. The soft-spoken 25-year-old admits that breaking into the de la cream Elite-24 remains hardest for any driver. Gesticulating, by looking at the Almighty, Narain bursts out 8216;8216;if only there had to be an Indian in F1, it would be easy,8217;8217; and adds that it is like breaking tradition and trying to revolutionise things.
With just one podium finish so far, the Fastest Indian admits to have brought down his focus. Realistically he says 8216;8216;let me first get into being a full-time test driver before making it big.8217;8217; But Narain would have to wait for that as his immediate target this year is to get better finishes in the World Series 8212; after managing just a third place in the four events so far.
Narain, who currently drives for Milan-based Team Tata RC Motorsport, says 8216;8216;mine has been the case of not being in the right place at the right time.8217;8217; As for his big break, Narain singles out factors such as multinational companies such as Honda or BMW that push their drivers.
This aspect only brings to mind Kigfisher8217;s association with Benetton in 8217;96. 8216;8216;Things would have been much different had that association continued.8217;8217; Interestingly, Schumacher Sr got into F1 courtesy: Mercedes. With two tests under his belt and appearing in every level of Formula racing Narain admits that it has made him mature. Technically put, Narain says, 8216;8216;the F1 tests were a dream. But then not making it was not demoralising. I only realised I had to learn more.8217;8217; For the record: A World Series car is 8 seconds faster than a F3 car, but still a 11 to 12s off F1 standards. Narain reminds 8216;8216;I was a couple of seconds off Jenson Button during the tests at Jordan 8212; which I feel is good enough to give me hope.8217;8217;
Asks if drivers, including teammates, help when on tour Narain gasps 8216;8216;no way,8217;8217; adding, 8216;8216;it8217;s a top-secret. Even teammates do not dare part with that info.8217;8217;
On the brighter side, however, is that Narain does get tips from Rob Williams New Zealand who runs a driving academy back home. 8216;8216;Rob has been a real help in handing out techniques and at times frequents at some of my races,8217;8217; says Narain. Last, but not the least, Narin discloses that Jennson Button has been of great help. After all, only a struggler understands the problem of another struggler.
