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Karthikeyan set for Formula 3

Racing driver Narain Karthikeyan is moving into the fast lane after signing a deal with the trophy-winning Stewart Racing, Britain's most successful Formula 3 team.

Karthikeyan, who is called 'India's fastest man', will drive in 14 races between March and October on motor racing tracks around Britain. He will be part of Stewart Racing's two-man team.

"It's a very big move," says Karthikeyan, 24, who has started training with Formula I racing stars Eddie Irvine and Johnny Herbert of Jaguar Racing at Milton Keynes in Britain. The youngster is the first Indian to reach this level in motor racing.

Karthikeyan's team-mate is another fast moving young star, Tomas Scheckter, who is the son of former World champion Jody Scheckter.

Stewart Racing have won the Formula 3 championship six times in the last eight years and is easily the best British team in the category. Their drivers also get an added bonus because they will be tested on Jaguar Racing's Formula I cars during their nine-month contract period.

Jaguar Racing and Stewart Racing are sister companies and are both owned by Ford Motor Company.

"I will be training in a Formula 1 environment," says Karthikeyan.

The chief executive of Stewart Racing is the legendary racing driver Jackie Stewart, who won the World Championship three times and became a successful businessman in later life.

Karthikeyan has already driven Stewart Racing's cars in two special races which are major events in the Formula 3 racing calendar. He drove in the Macau Grand Prix, which is a test of skills on the streets of the tiny province.

He also moved behind the wheel in the Korean Grand Prix, which was held on a newly-built course in Seoul.

Says a Stewart Racing spokesperson: "He joined us in November '99 on a one-off deal to contest two races. Now he has joined us for a full season."

Karthikeyan has taken the place of Luciano Burti, another up-and-coming driver. Burti has moved upward and is now a reserve driver for the Jaguar Formula I team.

Formula 3 is the training ground for future motor racing champions. It is two levels from the top but a good Formula 3 season is almost essential for drivers who want to graduate to the top levels of motor racing.

Says Stewart Racing's boss Jackie Stewart: "It is essential for future drivers to go through Formula 3 in a thorough fashion."

Britain's Formula 3 circuit is a bitterly competitive one. It has been galvanised by the recent elevation of 20-year-old Jenson Button, who has joined the hard driving Williams F1 team which is always amongst the frontrunners in international motorsport. Button, who was in Formula 3 until a few weeks ago, will have ace driver Ralf Schumacher as his teammate. Button is the youngest ever Formula I driver.

Karthikeyan was 'spotted' after a relatively short stint in Formula 3 racing. He raced for a smaller company Carlin Motor Sports during the '98 season. He started driving Formula 3 cars two years ago but his first full season was in '99. Before that he drove in a lower category called Formula Asia and was driving the occasional races.

Says Karthikeyan: "I was doing bits and pieces."

Stewart Racing introduced its new car and drivers to potential sponsors at the Royal Automobile Club in London. The team is fighting hard to regain the championship which it missed narrowly last year.

Mercedes Mclaren's star driver David Coulthard, who could be in the running to be World champion, used to drive for Stewart Racing.

Karthikeyan is backed by Ford, which has provided sponsorship for his behind the wheel exploits. Over the next few months he will be limbering up for the day with Formula I star Eddie Irvine and Johnny Herbertson, both stars of the international circuit.

"They will be there for advice," says Karthikeyan, who is keeping his eye firmly on the season ahead.

"My aim is to do well in Formula 3 this year. For the time being I will concentrate on that."