'Hope To Continue Great Show'

Having already gone through the toughest race of theFormula One season, Narain Karthikeyan is looking forward to his next challenge,the Bahrain Grand Prix, where the Indian is hoping to continue his"great" show.

"I have already had two great races in the F1Championship. It was thought to be impossible but I made it possible. It's given meconfidence after finishing the toughest race -- the Malaysian Grand Prix.Now I am looking forward to the other races," Karthikeyan said.

The 28-year-old made his F1 debut in Melbourne where hefinished 15th and bettered his position at Sepang, with a creditable 11th. TheBahrain GP, the next race on the calender, is on April 3.

Karthikeyan, who is on his maiden trip home sincejoining the F1 circuit, said although his aim is to finish races, now he is alsothinking about collecting points as the season progressed.

"The Bahrain track is quite similar to Sepang asit is quite challenging and flowing. Right now we are concentrating on finishingraces. But there will be some races where we have the opportunity to scorepoints," the Jordan driver said.

"Now we are doing exceedingly well. And we arehoping to continue in the same way in the remainder of the season. Good news isthat we are already past the toughest one and some of the good circuits arecoming up, like Monza, Magny-Cours, Barcelona and Silverstone.

"I had been there before and hopefully my priorexperience will come handy.

Karthikeyan said he had a tough time in Bahrain, where the park temperature roseto 50 degrees, but was hoping that things would be better.

"The weather is quite similar to that of Delhi andits not humid there, though the circuit is a bit abrasive. Maybe, it's becauseof so many sand dunes," said Karthikeyan, who spent a couple of days thereafter the Malaysian race before coming here.

"We will run a similar kind of car though withdifferent type of tyres," he said.

During his short stint in F1, Karthikeyan has so farimpressed several drivers including seven-time world champion Michael Schumacherof Ferrari.

The Ferrari ace had spoken highly of the Indian afterthe race in Melbourne.

"Lot of drivers were impressed with my qualifyinglap in Melbourne. Even Mark Webber said he knew me since long. The start couldnot have been any better. I have been the best rookie so far."

The Indian said he and his Jordan partner TiagoMonteiro, another first timer in F1, have already struck a rapport with theJordan team.

"We both are rookies and try to help each otherout. Jordan is a great team for rookies, Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichelloall started their career with Jordan. Ours is a small team, so you can interactwith all and hold one-to-one discussions.

PTI