Fuji (Japan): India’s top racing driver Narain Karthikeyan has his task cut out in the second round of the Japan-based Super Formula Championship after he set the eighth fastest time in the qualifying at the iconic Fuji Speedway here on Saturday.
In the qualifying held on the Formula 1 format, Karthikeyan was ninth fastest in Q1 with 1:24.085 before he improved to 1:23.253 to be eighth in Q3 on the 4.5 km track where he will be race for the first time in his carer.
His teammate at Team Lenovo Impul, JP de Oliveira, will start on pole for the first of the two races on Sunday. The Indian, who beat the more experienced local and foreign drivers to secure the front row in the season opener at Suzuka last month before retiring out of the race, finds himself in a more challenging situation here. A 25-lap sprint race will precede the second main race which will require drivers to pit at least once during 35 laps. Considering the highly competitive field, Karthikeyan is looking at a top five finish in the double header. (PTI)