Narain Karthikeyan is all set to become the firstIndian to race in Formula One circuit as he arrived at an agreement in principleto drive for Team Jordan in the 2005 season.
It will a dream come true for the 28-year-old fromCoimbatore when the agreement is finalised which is expected in a few days time.
"I am happy to be part of Team Jordan as I havebeen waiting for this opportunity since a long time. If all goes well I shouldbe competing in the season opener at Melbourne (Australia) on March six,"Karthikeyan said in Mumbai.
Karthikeyan has test driven a Formula One car but achance to race in the circuit, where cars touch speeds of 320 kmph and where themost advanced technology in automobile is put to test, has eluded him.
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He said his immediate aim to was to push Jordan oneplace further in the team standings in the annual championship.
"Obviously, I don't expect Team Jordan to win thechampionship. I will be happy if we could finish eighth as they had finishedninth last year," Karthikeyan said.
Elaborating on his immediate plans, he said "Iwill be going to Silverstone in a couple of days to get my special licence whereI will have to drive between 300 to 350 kms in front of the FIA representatives.
"I will be moving my camp to Barcelona (Spain) totest drive and also for practice races before the Melbourne meet on Marchsix", he added.
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"Though I will be signing the agreement with TeamJordan by next week, I am confident and proud to say that I will be the firstIndian to race in the Formula-1 Circuit," Karthikeyan said.
"It was during my Nissan World Series Championshipthat I gained the much needed confidence after doing quite well against championdrivers like Sato and Jensen Button.
"I am very excited and happy as my long cherisheddream of participating in Formula-1 is about to be realised."
Karthikeyan's chances of entering the F-1 circuitreceived a boost when the Midland Group, owned by Russia-born Canadian businesstycoon Alexander Schnaider, acquired Jordan in January this year.
The team's new sporting director is Trevor Carlin whohad seen Karthikeyan race in Formula 3.
"Obviously Carlin was very impressed with mydriving as he has been following my progress since I was racing inFormula-3," the fastest Indian on wheels said.
"Carlin knows my potential and realisticallyspeaking I and my sponsors like Tata, JK Tyres, Speed and Red Bull were waitingfor the right opportunity and I think the right time has come for me to plungeinto the race", he added.
"Lot of hard work has gone into my dream ofbecoming a Formula-1 driver and I am happy that Team Jordan has offered theirnumber one driver spot," said Karthikeyan who had previously test drivenfor Jordan, Jaguar and Minardi.
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In fact, he was offered to drive for Minardi in 2003but missed out as he was unable to raise the huge sum required to secure theoffer.
"There have been ups and downs but when I sit backand think about it, I should say it was worth every effort as I never imaginedthat my dream of driving in F-1 would be realised so soon," the Chennai ladsaid.
PTI
