MARCH 1, 2006

Narain looks to the future

Over in India, the Hindustan Times is reporting that Narain Karthikeyan is working on the idea of starting a racing academy in India to help teach F1 hopefuls what it takes to make it to Formula 1.

Over in India, the Hindustan Times is reporting that Narain Karthikeyan is working on the idea of starting a racing academy in India to help teach F1 hopefuls what it takes to make it to Formula 1.

"I don't want Indian youngsters to go through what I experienced, hunting for sponsorships and trying to find my way up," Karthikeyan said. "Ten years ago, most people would have laughed at the thought of an Indian making it to Formula 1. But I've changed that and I believe I've paved the way for Indian youngsters. We're a country of a billion people and I'm sure a lot more racing talent can be found here."

Karthikeyan says he does not mean a racing school but rather a scheme which would see him choose the youngsters and then groom them for international competition. This may not be simply a humanitarian gesture as management contracts with young drivers have often in the past provided retired drivers with the opportunity to use their experience to make more money.

For now, however, Karthikeyan (29) still have ambitions of his own and is enjoying working with Williams, which he says is a very different experience to his time spent with Midland in 2005.