Narain geared up

Friday8217;s mandatory practice session was more than just 8216;regular8217; car set-up for Narain Karthikeyan.Having suffered at the han...

Friday8217;s mandatory practice session was more than just 8216;regular8217; car set-up for Narain Karthikeyan.

Having suffered at the hands of a stalled gear box at Magney Cours, Narain spent most of his day getting a feel of the new gearbox fitted to his Toyota-powered EJ15.

With third and fifth gears not functioning for more than 25 laps, Narain had encountered serious speed drops. 8220;It cost me about a second a lap,8217;8217; Narain recollected.

The problem was attributed to a failure in the activator sensor that had blown up. After 36 laps of trouble-free practice, Narain breathed easy today.

8220;It was necessary to be confident,8221; Narain reasoned, particularly at Silverstone where 8220;you really feel the speed of an F1 car.8221;

Narain finished 17th in first practice session with 1 minute 24.581 second, fastest among the rookies.

In the second session, experimenting with the tyres, Narain finished 23rd, although quicker at 1 minute 23.819 seconds. 8220;With rain interspersing the two sessions, the rubber residue left by the cars on the track was washed off and the grip was awful,8221; Narain explained.

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Karthikeyan was satisfied with the new EJ15B. 8220;It was quick and definitely cruised along well.8221;

Meanwhile, as a mark of respect to those who have been affected by London blasts, a minute8217;s silence will be observed before the start of the race.

Jordan will be running their cars with black noses.

MINUTE8217;S SILENCE AT SILVERSTONE

A minute8217;s silence will be held before Sunday8217;s British Formula One Grand Prix in memory of the victims of the explosions in London.

8220;The FIA, Formula One management, Silverstone Circuits, the teams, drivers and everyone involved in Formula One send their condolences and deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who lost their lives,8221; FIA said in a statement.

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Security has been stepped up at Silverstone after Thursday8217;s blasts, with cars and bags searched at entrance points.

The event is sold out, with 100,000 people expected on Sunday.

Organisers said on Thursday they were confident adequate security measures were in place. Four blasts hit packed London underground trains and a double-decker bus at rush hour early on Thursday, killing more than 50 people. Reuters