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Formula 1 talk cannot start and end in India, if one does not mention the name of first Indian Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan. Narain broke into the Formula 1 scene way back in 2005 when he signed the deal with the Jordan racing team. He had a mixed season with the team and eventually sidelined in the later year. Though he continue to compete in the other motor-sports events during the course and finally comes back where he belongs i.e. Formula 1.
Narain started his motor sports journey way back in the 1990s when he won first ever Formula Maruti series from then onwards there was no stopping for the South Indian guy and he stated to show his class in the international arena. Narain become the semi-finalist in Pilote Elf Competition for Formula Renault cars in 1992 when he went to Elf Winfield Racing School in France.
Later on he showed his class in the Formula Maruti when he returned back to India. In that decade he competed in several junior motorsports events like Formula Vauxhall Junior championship, Formula Ford Zetec series and British Formula Ford Winter Series. During that course he registered his first podium finish in the international arena at Estoril the supporting race of Portuguese Grand Prix.
Narain’s experience in the European competitions gave him valuable experience to excel in the international racing arena. He also becomes the first Indian to win any championship in Europe by winning the British Formula Ford Winter Series. His success in the European motorsports circuit keeps on going but, he took the higher step in the career when he moved to Telefonica World Series with Team Tata RC Motorsport. He took pole position and set the fastest lap time at Interlagos circuit in Brazil. He continued to drive in the series which was renamed to Superfund Word Series in 2003. Narain took three podiums, two race wins and finished fourth overall in the championship.
Karthikeyan’s impressive outing in the Superfund Word Series gave him the opportunity to test for Minardi F1 team and later a driving seat for 2004 season. Narain didn’t able to raise the sponsorship money and didn’t able to seal the racing deal with Minardi. He didn’t got the F1 seat but he continued racing in the Nissan World Series and took impressive wins in Valencia, Spain and Magny-Cours, France. Narain driving abilities and his outings in every racing series finally gave him the stuff which he was looking for from many years.
Narain on 1 February 2005 announced that he has signed a multiple year racing deal with Jordan formula 1 team. Narain made his F1 debut in Australian GP which made him the first Indian Formula 1 driver. He continued with the Jordan team and in the process he picked up his first Formula points in Indianapolis, United States GP. Narain finished 4th in the race behind his Portuguese team mate. Scoring in the United States GP made Narain the first Indian driver to score Formula 1 points. Narain didn’t able to score any points after that race but impressed many people in Formula 1 with his driving abilities with not so competitive Jordan Racing car.
The end of the season saw a turnaround and Narain was left with driving seat after Jordan was taken over by Midland F1 team. Midland demanded $11.7 million Narain didn’t pay the money and joined Williams F1 as test and reserve driver for 2006season. Narain said that he prefer to be on a competitive side instead on the other by paying heavy amount. Narain didn’t able to drive in the 2006 season but offered a race seat in 2007 at Williams. Narain’s main sponsor TATA withdraws its support and Narain was sidelined later on. Narain then linked with the other teams like Spyker F1, Super Aguri and then Force India but he didn’t able to grab any of the racing seats.
During the course Narain continued to drive in the other races like A1 GP where he performed brilliantly with the Team India and grabbed first win for the team in the Chinese GP and become the first Indian driver to win an A1 GP event. After A1 GP Narain moved to NASCAR where he qualified in the 11th starting spot and finished the race on the lead lap in 13th place. He also won the World Truck Series Most Popular Driver Award for the 2010 season and become the first foreign driver to win the award.
In 2011 Narain Finally comes to where he belongs, on twitter he announced that he has signed a deal with Hispania Racing Team for 2011 season. After getting away from F1 Narain made a comeback after five year he said it’s a dream come true for him to race in front of his home crowd in Indian GP. He also said the financial backing from TATA was instrumental. Inspite of driving a not so competitive car and coming from a six year lay-off Narain is constantly improving and at Montreal he finished on a respectable 14th place behind his teammate Tonio Liuzzi.
Everyone is hoping that Narain should come back in form at the earliest because all Indian motor-sports fans are hoping to see him driving in the inaugural Indian GP which is scheduled to take place this year in Delhi.
