Chennai: It has been five years since he last flew the Indian flag in Formula One and India’s first ever F-1 driver Narain Karthikeyan believes youngsters Arjun Maini and Jehan Daruvala have what it takes to reach the top.
Maini recently won his maiden GP3 race and was signed by Haas F1 team as a development driver while Daruvala is part of Sahara Force India F1 team’s young driver academy.
The former Jordan and HRT driver, who made his debut way back in 2005, said: “Motorsports in our country is going through a bit of lull since the Indian GP stopped but I think Arjun and Jehan could do well.”
Narain added: “They have the right backing needed to reach there and they could definitely make a professional career as racing drivers.”
The 40-year-old Coimbatore-based driver was in the city to take part in various activities organised by Bharat Petroleum on the occasion of World Environment Day on Monday.
The Indian, who is racing in the competitive Japanese Super Formula series, added that there are plans to revive the Speed NK Racing academy and team to compete in the National championships.
His team had competed in the National championships in during late 2000’s and had an academy to identify young racers.
