iSport’s Motorsport Editor Kunal Shah caught up with yet another bright F1 hopeful – Parthiv Sureshwaran. Parthiv is currently testing his F2 chassis in Europe – join us in wishing him ‘All the Best’ for his F2 campaign.
Indian Motorsport is on its way up!! Indian GP, Karun’s F1 break and better - Force India’s consistent points scoring performance – the brightest patch ever in the history of Indian Motorsport!
While Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok have been the flag bearers for India in the international motorsport scene, there have been concerns on the bench strength that the sport has to offer. Narain debuted in top flight racing in 2005 and it took Karun 5 full seasons before getting a drive. Yes, we’ve progressed albeit a little slowly – but with a plethora of youngsters representing India in jr. formulae, I must say that the signs are good to anticipate a quicker progression!!
I got the opportunity to speak with Parthiv Sureshwaran, who I believe is Indian Motorsport’s most unspoken of driver. He raced in the Formula Asia series before Karun Chandhok and Asif Nazir and was following Narain’s footsteps and quickly!! However, fate had other plans for the rookie driver, who was stopped in his ranks due to the lack of financial support – the single-most reason that has dogged the progress of many Indian drivers.
However, while others (drivers like me!) chose to leave the sport for greener pastures, a determined Parthiv chose to pursue his F1 dreams by smartly picking his way up the ranks and of course spending more time in the boardrooms trying to convince sponsors and investors to back him. As a result, Parthiv is back this year, with a purse stacked with moolah to fund his drive and with a desire to beat the best on track yet again.
Here’s a heartfelt chat with Parthiv Sureshwaran. He will be competing in the Formula2 2010 season this year alongwith Armaan Ebrahim and South Indian star Ajith Kumar. During the interview, I asked Parthiv if Armaan was his biggest challenge and his answer was a strong NO! This, I believe is the best start he could make to his racing career. Join iSport in wishing him all the best.
Excerpts from the interview:
iSport: A long motorsport career - but with a lot of breaks in the middle. Any particular reasons?
Parthiv: The main reasons for the breaks were budget problems. I could not raise the whole amount to race a full season in time so I kept doing a few tests in top level single seaters to keep sharp. My parents always supported my dream and always encouraged me so I kept at it and got my chance.
iSport: Did you pursue an alternative profession in your breaks?
Parthiv: During my breaks, I was working with my parents in Dubai for a while and seeking a good sponsor / investor full time!!
iSport: What urged you to making a comeback?
Parthiv: I never gave up and always knew I was going to come back sooner or later. I am very close to Narain and Karun, they my closest friends and they always encouraged me too and told me not to give up.
iSport: Your biggest high?
Parthiv: Lots of highs. Racing for A1 Team India, Signing up for Formula 2 2010; I have worked really hard to raise the money required.
iSport: A1 Rookie - how was the experience?
Parthiv: Being the test driver for A1, I learnt a lot from Narain. Great experience and will help me a lot in Formula 2. It kept me sharp and learnt a lot of new circuits and most of all I learnt from Narain how to approach a race weekend and win.
iSport: Your comments on the A1 Grand Prix - their format and your experience?
Parthiv: A1 GP was one of the best top level championships around. Great experience and a very friendly atmosphere in the pitlane. Some really nice tracks and also the publicity and following for A1 was huge. Hope they revive it. The country vs country concept was really good and gained a lot of support world over. Their reach and acceptance was way more than any other championship at that level.
iSport: F2 - what made you pick up F2 as a series?
Parthiv: F2 is very good because it’s so cost effective and also a very high level as the winner gets a Formula 1 test and the top 3 get a super license. I know some of the circuits we will race on.
iSport: Your biggest competition in F2 will be Armaan? (Yes/No)
Parthiv: No.
iSport: Pre-season preparations - what have you been doing to stay fit and on the pace?
Parthiv: I have been training hard in the gym and also raced in the MRF Formula 1600 event at Chennai. I got pole and won the race which felt good and I hope I impressed the sponsors.
iSport: Expectations this season?
Parthiv: I expect to be at the front in the championship and get podiums. I will work hard at it.
iSport: Role of Leander Sport in your F2 move?
Parthiv: Leander Sport helps me with my media and PR activities. The move to F2 was done with the support of my parents and our family friends who support me.
iSport: Your sponsors? Are you self-funding your drive?
Parthiv: I have some investors who are backing me and I will let you know who the sponsors are very soon.
iSport: Are you targeting an F1 seat going further?
Parthiv: Yes, definitely targeting F1.
iSport: Karun's F1 move - perfectly timed or a season too soon?
Parthiv: I think the timing was right for Karun. They can sort out the car this year and he will be ready for next year when the Indian GP is on.
iSport: Indian Grand Prix - would you want to be on the F1 grid by then?
Parthiv: Yes for sure I want to be on the grid. However, it will require a lot of hard work on the track and off it.
iSport: F1 2010 - what are your expectations? Predictions for the Driver’s Championship?
Parthiv: 1 – Fernando Alonso 2 – Sebastian Vettel 3 – Lewis Hamilton
iSport: Message to the iSport motorsport buffs!
Parthiv: Please follow the formulatwo.com website for news on the races and the races are covered live on EuroSport if anyone has the access to it. I am trying to get it on our Indian channels. Would appreciate all the support we can get. Thank You!!
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