From the rumors and hints being dropped, India will have another reason to celebrate, maybe as early as this weekend.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the new torch bearer deserves this honor. But before we go all out, let’s remember the person who started it all, when the climate was very different.
Back in 2005, Narain Karthikeyan became the first Indian driver to get a seat in F1. And 2005 was a very different time period. Sponsors in India were still weary of the international scene, there was no Force India F1, there was no Indian GP and there certainly was no chartered course for an Indian driver. I do not know of any other drivers from India who decided to pick a driving school like Elf Winfield and then went on to compete in the international scene, even in the junior races.
But braving those odds, Narain managed to secure a ride. Driving for a back marker team, I did not expect too much from him, but he did shine. Call it blind faith, but I did and still do believe that Narain would have done well had he found a stronger team.
In the following days and weeks when the Indian media hails the new blood, celebrate, but spare a moment for the man who made it there, with a much smaller fan base, a much smaller group of sponsors and managed to create history.
As much as I hate Nascar, I know this. If Narain does start racing in that series, I will be there cheering him. The man deserves it and that’s the least I could do as his fan.
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With Schumi going to race for Mercedes GP, he essentially stole the headlines. At least in the rest of the world.
While I’m excited that he is back, I’m torn between picking him, giving up my allegiance for Ferrari and Massa. It’s as difficult as picking a Belgian beer at Monks Kettle.
I do understand that there are lot of idiots fans who pay good money to watch people drive in circles. Add the possibility of tapping the Indian market for fans, advertising opportunity and having the first Indian in Nascar, it all makes sense. Narain could be making good money, but by driving in the most barbaric racing series, he would be pushing fans like me away.
Arghhh! This is supposed to be fun.
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A couple of days ago, I wrote about how F1 might turn into the new A1GP, if Button decides to go the McLaren route. And it looks like that’s happening while I type.
Earlier today, James Allen had this to say on twitter
See update on Button story, reports he’s on verge of signing £6m a year deal with McLaren
Later this event PST, like clockwork, The Guardian ran the story.
This leaves us with two teams, both of which have drivers from their country. Lotus is still in search of that elusive Malaysian driver and so is Force India. If both those teams go the national route, almost half the grid will look very different.
As I see the situation right now, this cannot be very good for the sport. But stranger things have happened. What are your thoughts?
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Yesterday the news outlets reported that the 2009 Champion Jenson Button was on a tour of the McLaren HQ.
While it sounds like a dream team at McLaren and without any doubt would make for an exciting season next year, I have doubts about this in the long run.
The reason is simple, I for one do not want F1 to turn into a World Cup.
While it can be argued that Super Aguri and Mallya were the first ones to “introduce” the concept, having a Japanese / Indian driver for the team, Their thoughts made sense then. Both Japan and India have a very large F1 following and having a national driver on board would open doors to the sport. However, things have changed.
The new Lotus team flirted with the idea of having a Malaysian driver for their team and now McLaren could end up with two British drivers. If the model proves successful in the short term, I see other back marker teams jumping on board with this idea, specially given the volatility of the sport and the financial industry in general. Anything to make a few more cents.
In the long run, we might end up with a World cup and each driver getting a medal. While they are at it, might as well make the sport a part of the Olympics.
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Alonso has been demoted 5 positions after pulling this.
And then dodges Ron Dennis the McLaren boss.
Here is a view from a helicopter that gives credibility to the rumors that Alonso’s trainer was counting time off and gave him the sign to drive off ensuring Hamilton would not be able to take another shot at the Pole position.
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Narain Karthikeyan might be testing on Fridays, a previous rule by the FIA had made sure that each team could only run two cars for testing on Fridays to cut costs. Now the teams have an option of allowing their third driver to test the car on Fridays, if they do not use one of their race drivers.
From the rumors and hints being dropped, India will have another reason to celebrate, maybe as early as this weekend.
Yesterday the news outlets