In a country that so often fails to see beyond cricket, Narain Karthikeyan has managed to do the improbable: challenge viewer interest with his exploits in the Formula One World Championships, in the midst of an Indo-Pak cricket series.With two races under his belt and a credible performance so far, India’s first Formula One driver is now looking forward to the Bahrain Grand Prix to continue with his ‘‘good show’’ so far.Coming from Bahrain — where the third race is scheduled for April 3 — Narain made his first pit stop in the country since his debut on the circuit at Melbourne earlier this month. And the 28-year-old is confident of improving on his performances.‘‘I have already had two great races in the F1 Championship. It was thought to be impossible and I made it possible. It gave me much confidence after finishing the toughest race — the Malaysian Grand Prix. Now I am looking forward to other races,’’ Karthikeyan said.Talking of Sepang, Narain reiterated that the conditions were tough. ‘‘The temperatures went real high and many of the drivers — including Montoya — felt I wouldn’t be able to complete the race, but I managed to,’’ he said.Narain not only completed the race, he finished a credible 11th amongst 20 drivers.Narain is obviously pleased with his performance and improvements made, but admits to his disappointment at missing out on his first points in the championship. Narain finished 11 at Sepang in the Malaysian Grand Prix, a jump of four places from Melbourne. But the result has reinforced the belief that Narain may truely be in line for earning his first points on the circuit in his rookie year, and that too with just two races behind him, which speaks volumes about his talent and abilities.‘‘The Bahrain track is quite similar to Sepang as it is quite challenging and flowing. Right now we are concentrating on finishing races. But there will be some races where we have the opportunity to score points,’’ the Jordan driver said.The rule changes implemented this year have enabled a leveller playing field to all teams, and Narain is sure that it will help him come up with even better performances in future.Also, some of the more famous races yet to come up are at tracks that the rookie driver is already familiar with. ‘‘Monza, Magny-cours, Barcelona and Silverstone — I have been there before and hopefully my prior experience will come handy,’’ he said.Narain had test-driven for Jordan and Jaguar in 2001 at Silverstone, and finished on the podium at Magna-cours during the World Nissan series last year. He also recorded a win at the Monza track in Italy in the World Nissan Series in 2003.In a way, it has been baptism by fire for Narain on his debut. And he has managed to come out of it with impressive credentials. The toughest race of the season — at Sepang — is over, and his finishing 11th, when seven of the drivers failed to make it past the chequered flag, has reinforced his desire to keep improving.And with Narain doing so well, the rest of the drivers in the country have also raised hopes of representing the country on the biggest stage.Karun Chandhok, who is considered the obvious succesor to Narain, will compete for RC Motorsport in the World Nissan series this year, and is serious about his chances of making it to F1 soon. ‘‘Hopefully, by 2007, I may just make it,’’ he said.
