Sponsorships will build talent: Karthikeyan

what does it take to become a formula one driver? skill, sharp reflexes, good vehicles, lot of practice and plenty of money through sponsorships. and, the indian racing wiz kid, narain karthikeyan has just the right mix of all these. speaking to times news network, karthikeyan said that india had plenty of skill but lacked corporate sponsorship to promote them.motor sport being a costly affair and it requires lot of money, which is absent in india, he says. "i was lucky to have corporate sponsorships otherwise it would have been difficult for me to rise. corporates should look beyond cricket and tennis at other sports, too," he said. "racing is catching corporate attention and hopefully things will change in the coming days," karthikeyan added. he being sponsored by kingfisher beer, jk tyre, ford, amaron and triiiad. according karthikeyan, in india motor racing also needed recognition and publicity as a sport. "lack of government support and non recognition as a sport is hampering its growth in india," he added. however, there was a lot of potential talent waiting to be exploited in indian drivers he said, adding "i am sure there are many to follow my foot steps. karun chandhok and asif nazir are doing very well on the asian circuit." in fact, chandhok and nazir are the only finalists for formula asia champion and will be competing for the title this year. according to him, the racing scenario has changed a lot in india and fast track drivers have plenty of platforms to launch themselves. "go-karting is the first step towards formula one racing. nazir started with national karting championship and has developed as a world class driver," he said. with an ambition to become the first indian formula one driver in his eyes, karthikeyan started at elf winfield racing school, france in 1992. from there he went on to win various races and in 1996, after winning formula asia champion he was proclaimed as the fastest indian in the world. last year, he stood fourth in the british formula three championship with stewart racing. and, in june 2001 the 24-year old became the first indian to test a formula one car with the fords jaguar racing. "the test drive was successful and i completed three laps. but lot more needs to be done before i actually drive a formula one car," he said when asked about the test drive. he expects to compete in the formula one competitions in a year or two. "if i do not make to the formula one laps by 27, i don't think i will ever make it there after," he said. and, he along with his management are working hard to finish in time. on august 25-26, karthikeyan will be racing seventh round in the japanese formula nippon. "there are few problems there. in japan language is a big problem. they don't speak english and thus, communication becomes difficult," he said. on being asked who was his role model, he said: "any formula one champion is my role model. and, at present it is michael schumacher." with so many achievements, karthikeyan stands tall on the podium and says, "struggle is the only mantra to success." best of luck speeding boy!