The Fastest Indian!!!

I have been a Formula One fan for many years now. But this season evokes a lot more passion than any other has in the past barring 1994. The simple reason being that this would be the very first time that one could wave an Indian Flag at a Formula One race. And do so with a reason. Narain Karthikeyan has achieved the distinction of being the first Indian in world of Formula One.

Formula One is a fascinatingly different sport. I choose to call this a sport in itself and would not club it under "Motor Racing". The reason is quite simple. If a cricket player were to start at the District Level tournaments and then moves on to County Levels and then makes his International Appearance, he has a footing. For he knows how fast a bowler can bowl and the average speed that the ball travels with, when he strikes with the middle of his bat. And in Cricket, the dimensions of the pitch or the quality of the wood that is used in the Bat or the material used to make the balls donot differ much.

But in Formula One, the equations change drastically from the lesser rated Formula 3 or NASCAR races. Suddenly, drivers find it difficult to control beasts in slim armors roaring like a thousand lions. It is like nothing that they have ever driven before. The least of the mean-machines, a Minardi, is about twice as fast as a Formula 3 car. And not to mention that the aerodynamics, the engine technology and the fuel used make a Formula One car a ground-level rocket. It is for this reason that one cannot club it under "Motor Racing". No amount of experience in any other form of racing would be of any value when you sit in the cockpit of a Formula One car. And when you cannot draw parallels, then the sport becomes a new one, and more ruefully an unfamiliar one.

If controlling the car is one beast, then there is another. A beast that is clothed in a three-piece suit and carries a suit-case. And the beast demands that the suitcase be filled with cash, if one wanted a Formula One drive. It is said that Formula One car runs on money rather than on petrol. It is an unarguable fact that Money takes pole position ahead of talent when it comes to this 21st century sport. And when you come from India, all your money gets divided by that magic figure "forty-five" and your pockets become shallower and dissapear even before you can knock on the door of the measliest of Formula One bosses.

The path that Narain has taken has been a tough one. For in any sport, the first is the one who suffers the most. Because there are no examples and no one with similar background and experience to guide them. And when one does not have guidance, it results in experimentation. And needless to say, experimentation and time are two things that are inextricably hitched to each other. When Narain tested for the Jaguar's and the Minardi's in 2001 and 2002, he was 24. It wasnt the best age to begin a Formula One career, but it still gave him atleast ten good years of life in the fastest Lane. But to his frustration, Narain could not find the sponsors to support the demands of the measliest of Teams on the biggest arena.

Finally, in 2005, Twenty-eight year old Narain signs up for the Jordan-Midland F1. It is a team that holds sentimental value to many of the old fans of Formula One. For it is the car in which the great Michael Schumacher made his debut. And i would have been happier had the team still remained with the mercurial Eddie Jordan, the master talent-spotter. Had Eddie spotted Narain, i would have sat back and waited for Narain to find his way into better teams. It would have been a matter of a few seasons. All said and done, Narain starts racing.

If two beasts weren't enough, there was a silent third. A beast who would hybernate till Narain would win the fight with the other two beasts and secure a drive. This beast is tougher, larger and has the power of a billion people. And if the first two beasts are atleast predictable, the third one isnt. For it is called "India".In a country starved of original sporting heroes, Indians in sports find themselves at the wrong side of the stick way too often and for reasons they can hardly fathom. I was alarmed to see a title page in a local newspaper say, "Narain closing in on Schumacher". I shuffled in my seat uneasily and mopped my forehead. If Narain had seen this, he sure would have had a minor heart attach. For Schumacher, the son of a German Brick-layer, went on to become a legend in one of the most demanding sports on earth. And this huge, out of the world headline for the small fact that Narain had clocked just a few seconds slower compared to Schumacher in a testing session. If this were to be the expectation that Indians had for Narain karthikeyan before the season started, then wonder how it would be once the races start.

Before we start mounting our expectations on Narain who is barely a couple of races old, let us keep in mind that Fissichella who won the Albert Park GP is 144 F1 races (approx 13 seasons) old but with only Two wins and 126 points. Jarno Trulli has raced in 132 GP's with only 2 wins and 125 points.Webber started 53 races but has had just 30 points and no podiums at all. Heidfeld's been in 87 races with just two podiums and 34 points till date.And mind you, these drivers have been in F1 since their early 20's. And Narain is already 28. I seriously donot expect him to do very well. As long as he can be quicker than the Minardi's and his own team-mate, i am satisfied. Afterall one cannot expect a Jordan to win the race even if 'macher the immaculate were piloting it. Afterall each driver is only as good as the machine he is strapped into. I donot expect anything more from him this season. All he has to do for now is to complete races and look to impress rival team bosses who might be on the lookout for better talent. Webber, inspite of his seemingly poor record has done just that.

This is a good beggining for India in Formula One. Perhaps one day we might get to hold an Indian flag in one hand and a Scuderia Flag in the other. Not with Narain in the cockpit, but with some other Fresh talent who sure would know that it was a legend named Narain who broke the barrier for him to enter into the Sanctun Sanctotum of the best of Formula One cars.

Adios!