Sports India

Narain Karthikeyan is quite modest when it comes to expectations. In the big league of Formula One, where mega bucks bring in fame, the 28-year-old sill finds himself on the learning curve. While the who’s who of the sport kept moving around in the lobby of the official hotel of the Malaysia GP, Narain makes his appearance quietly, almost unnoticed!

Clad in a black Jordan T-shirt, cap and haversack to match, the Indian has just a handful of support unlike most other drivers. Similarly, with almost the entire F1 circus spending their day at the Sepang International Circuit, Narain’s presence is hardly felt. In fact, Narain’s frail figure easily passes him off as a fan. When asked if the other drivers have started accepting him in the fold, Narain curtly replies: ‘‘Some are quite complimenting — like Mark Webber, Takuma Sato, whom I know well. But for the rest, I haven’t spoken to anybody else.”

However, his dropping tone sums it up: ‘‘That’s how F1 is.’’ After all, he knows only winners and past records counted while the rest were somewhere down the line. When the reality strikes, Narain makes the point loud and clear: ‘‘There is nothing to hide that Jordan is not capable of running in the front or the top-8 at the moment. But our car is capable of being quicker than Minardi’s irrespective of who drives it.’’

He substantiates his assessment by referring to Nick Heidfeld — Narain rates him as a great — who last year got Jordean three points. ‘‘All those came due to somebody heavily crashing. But now, he’s challenging Webber.’’ He suddenly drops jaws with a warning, ‘‘Don’t be surprised if I finish 16th or 17th.’’

Having surpassed expectations in Melbourne, which includes bringing in the best result among the rookies, Narain expects to do better. But he says, he will be happy if he manages to do something similar to what he did in the season opener. As for the fraternity, Narain says, ‘‘Everybody knows what Jordan are capable of. So realistically the best way to go about things is just dish out your best.’’ Having made his point, Narain sportingly adds he was targeting long term. ‘‘I would like to drive for as many years as I could. Maybe, even become a world champ.’’

NARAIN SPEAK
On the circuit
• Very flowing. Lot different to Melbourne, but once the lines are known it would be easier.
On the heat factor
• Well, there is a higher chance of graining (wearing out of tyres). Hopefully we have chosen the right compounds and there be no chances of a ‘blow out’. Secondly, strain on the neck is also a possibility, though I would say Melbourne was tougher since there were always a quick sequence of corners, straights and braking.
On his practice session
• I get a two-hour run. If the car reliability works out well then 40 laps are possible. This is not enough on such a long technical circuit.