Narain sparkles on Formula 1 debut – ready to make it for India
Sonal Joshi
Feb. 11, 2005

The sparkle and shine for India is on says Narain.

Narain Karthikeyan made his Formula One track debut with the first testing session for Jordan Toyota in Silverstone in Northamptonshire.

It was a perfect test run for Narain and his teammate Tiego Monteiro of Portugal as the brand new Jordan Toyota EJ15 roared over 400 kilometres, well more than a full Grand Prix distance of 300 kms, to prove its reliability.

"It went very well, we did lots of distance and I’m happy with the test so far. We had no major problems, and achieved my aim which was to complete 300km," Narain said after the testing at the famous circuit where Formula One was born in 1950.

"Last time I drove a single-seater car was in November and the first thing I’ve driven on the circuit since then is a Formula One car! "So it was very quick and very exciting this morning but I now I’m getting used to it and it's time to get on with the work," said Narain, the first Indian to race in the elite motor sport event.

Monteiro opened up the session for the Silverstone based team before Narain took over to complete a faultless run which has taken the overall distance covered by the car including the shakedown earlier in the week to over 700 kms.

More "It's positive that we’ve had good reliability and were able to cover plenty of mileage, and we are very impressed with how quickly both drivers have got back into the groove of driving racing cars after a couple of months out of them," he said.

"They are both comfortable with the EJ15 and they are being sensible and not pushing to the limit at this stage. "To be honest I think they are both enjoying it immensely!" Two more testing remain ahead of the first race of the season at Melbourne on March 6.

The next testing is slated to be held in Barcelona, Spain, next week before the third and final one back in Silverstone. The sparkle and shine for India is on says Narain.

Narain Karthikeyan made his Formula One track debut with the first testing session for Jordan Toyota in Silverstone in Northamptonshire.

It was a perfect test run for Narain and his teammate Tiego Monteiro of Portugal as the brand new Jordan Toyota EJ15 roared over 400 kilometres, well more than a full Grand Prix distance of 300 kms, to prove its reliability.

"It went very well, we did lots of distance and I’m happy with the test so far. We had no major problems, and achieved my aim which was to complete 300km," Narain said after the testing at the famous circuit where Formula One was born in 1950.

"Last time I drove a single-seater car was in November and the first thing I’ve driven on the circuit since then is a Formula One car! "So it was very quick and very exciting this morning but I now I’m getting used to it and it's time to get on with the work," said Narain, the first Indian to race in the elite motor sport event.

Monteiro opened up the session for the Silverstone based team before Narain took over to complete a faultless run which has taken the overall distance covered by the car including the shakedown earlier in the week to over 700 kms.

More "It's positive that we’ve had good reliability and were able to cover plenty of mileage, and we are very impressed with how quickly both drivers have got back into the groove of driving racing cars after a couple of months out of them," he said.

"They are both comfortable with the EJ15 and they are being sensible and not pushing to the limit at this stage. "To be honest I think they are both enjoying it immensely!" Two more testing remain ahead of the first race of the season at Melbourne on March 6.

The next testing is slated to be held in Barcelona, Spain, next week before the third and final one back in Silverstone.

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