As a test driver, Narain Karthikeyan doesn’t enjoy the attention he did last year but hey, he says he likes it that way.
NEW DELHI: Eager to embrace a new icon, Narain Karthikeyan was hounded last year. Every bit of byte was food for the media monster. This year, Narain’s role as a test driver for Williams has hardly found the same kind of exposure as he did last year in a on-now-bust-again semblance of an F1 car. But surprisingly enough, Narain Karthikeyan is happier.
“Few people accept that the exposure was essential only for the sake of my sponsors. Being a celebrity is hardly something that I wanted. This year it’s better,” says the 29-year-old with his characteristic chuckle. Better?
“Absolutely. Being on the nose of front-running cars, my main sponsor Tata is getting far more visibility during the race. With that taken care of, I prefer not being hounded by inane questions.” Besides Tata, corporate India continues to back Narain as Bharat Petroleum, Amaron, Puma and Raymonds use him as their brand ambassador.
That apart, Narain the driver is only now getting to learn the finer nuances of the fastest speed game on this planet. “Last year was just too hectic.
There was enormous pressure and I was always rushed to learn the circuit while struggling to find the best setup for the car. Technically alone I have reached a different level with the Williams team already. Gleaning the dynamics of the car and analysing the testing data has taught me so much more about how to be a better driver.”
But surely it must rankle to be on the sidelines as the action unfolds on race day? “Of course it does. The first race was especially difficult on that account. But as the season unfolds I am happier about my decision to test with Williams instead of driving for a lesser team. I have learnt all there was to learn from being at the back of the grid!”
Narain stays confident about the future. “There is no point in making any tall claims but I have been fast and consistent during testing and am sure that must have registered with the people who matter in F1. I hope to get a driving seat next year but wouldn’t want to settle for a bad team.”
As of now, Narain continues to live his ascetic existence in England away from family and friends. “Apart from testing there is not much to do. Even Pavarna (his wife) has her commitments in India. Racing takes priority over everything else but then, it remains my first love.”
More than a ‘commercial’ bond between Narain and Dhoni: Narain Karthikeyan and MS Dhoni bumped into each other on the sets on an ad-shoot for Speed and found they had a lot in common. Possibly the fact that both are regular level-headed fellows who have not allowed fame to warp their personalities helped them relate all the better.
“I met him the day after he had been declared the number one on the ICC rankings. I was surprised to find that he’s a really nice bloke and so very simple. That he also loves speed and is a bike freak made it all the more easier for us to get along.”
Narain’s already friends with Sachin Tendulkar and now he has another face to look out for amongst the Indian XI. “I only watch cricket when India is playing, especially when Sachin is out there. But now I will track Dhoni too.”
On his end, even Dhoni might get a chance to see the real speed demons as Narain has invited him to attend any F1 race that he chooses to. “He will be my guest just as soon as he finds time off from his commitments.”
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