| While a few sparks of brilliance might have shone here and there, it has largely been a neglected sport in an age when the masses are more concerned about a 22-yard pitch and not 2.2 kilometres of sweeping tarmac. Things however seem to be brightening up these days, especially road racing. |
| First, Narain Karthikeyan signed up for another season as a test-driver at WilliamsF1, this time in a more important role. Then Karun Chandhok got into a winning streak at the first Renault V6 Asia, emerging as a champion at the final round at Zhuhai, China. |
| For Karun, it has been a vindication of sorts, considering his last season at the Renault World Series and A1 GP was a dampener. Winning three of the last four rounds at Zhuhai, Chandhok not only creamed his competition (ending 24 points ahead of second placed Matt Halliday), he also ended up breaking the lap record while he was at it. Winning seven out of twelve races this season was no mean feat, considering the quality of competitors. |
| But with the pressure off and his eyes set on the World Series in Europe and the Champcar series in the US, Karun has given himself a worthy platform to move to the next level. But things aren't just moving outside India alone. Earlier this year, two new manufacturers joined Maruti in search of India's next Karun, Armaan or Narain. |
| The Formula Chevrolet, Formula Hyundai and Formula Maruti series are a sign that all hasn't been lost just yet. Using engines from the three manufacturers might be a small start, but might just spawn a revolution in Indian motorsport. The first season has been quite promising and the second might just get hotter as newer faces are expected. Maybe, just maybe, when India hosts its first GP (expected in 2010), we might see one of these drivers in an F1 car. In a Ferrari, perhaps? |
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