With the love for this sport, these professional drivers are making India proud When it comes to the world of sports, India is not only seen in just cricket, hockey, football, badminton and the more famous ones. India for long has been making a mark in the field of car race driving and has time and again given the world some fabulous car race champions. It is professional drivers like NarainKarthikeyan and Karun Chandhok who have made it to the famous Formula One, showcasing their skills, pumping high adrenalin rush and excitement. Thanks to these racing drivers, motorsport in India has gained the much-needed impetus. According to reports, as of 2021, there have been two Formula One drivers from India and the Indian Formula One drivers have had a race entry to 59 Grands Prix accumulating 5 points between them. Here, let’s take a look at some of the Indian racing drivers. NarainKarthikeyan Karthikeyan is the Indian racing legend and the first Formula One driver from India. Born as Kumar Ram NarainKarthikeyan in Coimbatore, the professional driver comes from a motorsport background. His father, KarkarlaKarthikeyan Naidu was a former seven-time South India rally national champion, hence explaining his love for the sport. It was after signing a deal with Jordan Grand Prix, a constructor team with Formula One that the former Formula One driver rose to fame. Later he made his debut at the Australian Grand Prix on in 2005, finishing 15th in the race. Karun Chandhok Inheriting racing from his father, Vicky Chandok - a legendary driver and multiple rally champion – Chandhok went on to take over the Formula One mantle from NarainKarthikeyan. In 2001, driving for Team India Racing Chandhok became the youngest ever person to win the Formula 2000 Asia Series, emerging victorious in eight of the 14 races. In 2010, the racing driver made his Formula One debut, by driving for Hispania Racing. Gaurav Gill Delhi-born, Gill’s interest in motorsports saw him competing in the 1999 Motocross Championship. Then in 2007 driving for Team MRF, Gill remained undefeated in the National Rally Championship. And in 2013, driving for Team MRF Skoda, Gill became the first Indian to clinch the 2013 APRC title. He went on to complete a hat trick of APRC wins after winning them in 2016 and 2018, respectively. The driver is also the first Indian from motorsports to receive the Arjun Award. SaileshBolisetti Though he made his racing debut at the 2008 JK Tyre National Championship, it was only in 2010 that he achieved glory at the Volkswagen Polo Cup India and the MRF Racing Challenge – Touring Cars. In 2012, he became the first-ever Indian to compete in the British GT Championship.
Gayle.webp)
