Narain is Williams main test ace

Indian Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan today received a huge career boost when WilliamsF1 confirmed his re-appointment...

Indian Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan today received a huge career boost when WilliamsF1 confirmed his re-appointment as 8220;one of the team8217;s official test drivers for the 2007 season8221;.

Hours later, talking over the phone from Coimbatore, Narain told The Indian Express: 8220;I am happy to have received this major responsible role at Williams, especially at a stage when we are moving to Toyota engines and a new gearbox.8221;

8220;The changes being brought in are great. The new engine, an interim FW28B, carrying the Toyota V8, is one I have already tested at Silverstone earlier this month and I will be back testing it again on October 5. My job becomes crucial because it will be my inputs that will decide the team8217;s appreciation of the new technology,8221; Narain said.

The official version was that Narain, 8220;who joined the squad in 2006, will continue helping with the team8217;s test and development programme.8221; This means he takes over officially as main test driver, slipping into the vacancy left when Alexander Wurz was promoted to race driver after Australian Mark Webber left.

8220;This engine8212;the interim FW28B8212;will be used this year,8221; said Narain. 8220;Next year, we will move into the launch of an even more advanced FW29 for which there will be another intensive testing programme.8221; Hence, Narain8217;s contribution will remain very crucial.

Next is the new Williams gearbox. 8220;This is a very new, very fast gear-shift system,8221; Narain explained. 8220;You go smooth and swift downshift or upshift. That is one thing that saves time and saves fuel, both rather crucial in F1.8221;

So does this appointment mean a lot more money for him too? 8220;Look I was paid a salary in 2006 also,8221; he laughed, 8220;but, yes, this does mean more, more security and much more responsibility.8221;

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Narain, however, remains on the wait-list for the driver8217;s job. 8220;Naturally, as a racing driver, my first priority is to compete, but I would far rather test with a leading team than accept a race seat that offered no real potential to learn and develop,8221; he said.

There is also an advantage, he added, in being a test driver. 8220;I can get more laps under my belt before a race during testing,8221; he said, 8220;the idea is to get ready for the real test.8221;

Also, the fact that the Williams team has stuck to Bridgestone tyres is also a great help. 8220;Next season is single make all the way, for all teams 8211; with Michellin pulling out after the Indianapolis fiasco 8211; and since Williams have stayed with the official Bridgestone, we have had a year8217;s extra experience with them. It will help,8221; he said.