Narain Karthikeyan hopes to see an excited Indian crowd
The Indian Formula One driver, Narain Karthikeyan is looking forward for a strong support and warm reception from his home crowd later this year. He proclaimed that he has always been overwhelmed by the way the Indian crowd cheers and applauds the national
cricket team. Now, as the Formula One caravan is set to enter this region of South Asia for the very first time, he hopes to face a similar level of energetic and excited crowd weekend in October.
Karthikeyan, the first Indian driver ever in Formula One, made his debut in the series in 2005 for Jordan. After having experienced an abortive debut season, the driver was not seen in the sport again for a long time. However, just ahead of the first home
race, he has signed a one-year contract with HRT. Although the team has also experienced a very tough 2010 season, but now with the help of the driver, the team is looking forward to have some of its issues resolved. Karthikeyan has brought along a very strong
sponsor for the team, the leading Indian car manufacturer company, TATA.
While hoping for a brilliant new start with the series, the driver told the reports, "I've been through a lot in my career but to be a part of the first-ever Indian Grand Prix will a special moment for me."
He further added, "I've always seen cricketers playing in front of home fans and how pumped up the support gets them. To experience over 100 000 fans cheering for me will be a surreal experience. It will also be a great moment for Indian fans who will have
a home driver and home team (Force India) to cheer for. The chance to race in the Indian Grand Prix will be great moment and is alone worth a return to F1. The closest I've come to experiencing home support was in the A1 series' race in Durban, where there
is a large Indian diaspora."
The 33-year-old has been immensely welcomed back in the sport by Vijay Mallya, the team boss of Force India, the only Indian team in the sport. While talking to some reporters earlier today, Mallya said that he would have loved to sign the driver with his
team, but the current team situation does not allow him to do so.
While at the same time, the other country driver, Karun Chandhok is struggling to find a seat in Formula One for the upcoming season but has little hope after a disappointing 2010 season with HRT.
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