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Media-shy? No way
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Narain Karthikeyan's performance both on and off the track was commendable. He showed a lot of maturity in handling an eager media
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— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.
Such was the frenzy that a videoconference was arranged at ITPL to satisfy the media.
NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN'S debut in the world of F1 racing ran true to his predictions. Knowing he was shouldering the hopes and aspirations of millions of Indian F1 fans, Narain repeatedly told the media and through it, his fans that he was only looking to complete the race at Melbourne and at the end of the gruelling 57 laps last Sunday that target had been achieved.
Prior to his actual race and just after the qualifying lap on the day before the race, Narian Karthikeyan spoke to the Indian media via a teleconference arranged by Tata Racing. The man from Coimbatore with a baby face and an elfin smile looked a bit tired after his work out on the track. Despite his strained condition, Narain kept his composure and spoke to journalists from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai via the videophone.
The Questions went along predictable lines. Was he satisfied with his qualifying session?
"Most certainly. The sudden spell of wet weather meant that the timings became slower, but my ninth place effort in the first qualifier was more than satisfactory," Narain replied.On the oft-posed question on what he realistically thought his chances were at Melbourne, Narain showed no traces of annoyance at answering the question yet again. His response was exactly the same as when the question was first put to him.
"My goal is to finish the race. If I get into a points winning situation I will take it from there when that happens. The actual race is quite different from a single qualifying lap. I am on a huge learning curve and will be more than pleased just to finish," he replied.
When he was asked about the ticket for speeding in the pit lane, Narain felt that the issue had been blown out of proportion by the media back home.
"Fines are quite common in the framework of the F1 and it's no big deal," Narain said.
It was however quite ironic that Narain who takes a pushy `Madonna's' mum with the star to the airport (in the Speed advertisement) escaped being fined by the local cops but was trapped by zealous F1 marshals. Narain was very thankful to the expatriate Indians in Australia who kept up his spirits with the adulation showered on him.
"I am very happy to say that I signed quite a few autographs and posed for pictures with my countrymen in Australia."
His pragmatism and perfect assessment of the opposition was evident when he rated his chances against the Renaults and the Red Brigade.
"Fisichella's timings in the qualifier makes him hard to beat. The Ferrari cars too will be almost impossible to overtake and unless something happens to Schumacher I have no chance finishing ahead of him," Narain averred.
His realistic assessment of the situation was spot on as Giancarlo Fisichella emerged victorious and Schumacher was beaten only because he failed to finish.
Some of the questions meandered without substance but Narain showed no signs of irritation. He was able to respond with some clarity and satisfy the questioner somewhat. He showed that he is quite media savvy. He also was quick to point out that he never said that the difference between F3 and F1 was minimal.
But now Melbourne is past and Narain will surely be planning his strategy for Malaysia scheduled for March 27. All one can do is wish the gentleman, "All the very best."
D. RAVI SHANKAR
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