Narain beats lap record at Monza

Narain Karthikeyan, aiming to become India's first Formula One driver, took a huge step in that direction by emerging one of the two drivers to beat the lap record for a Nissan World Series car at the world-famous Monza track in Italy, but failed to make the podium on July 7.

According to information from his sponsors JK Tyre, Narain, the Tata RC motor sport driver, was in blistering form in the qualifying round, finishing second on the grid in the first event, behind Belgium's Bas Leinders, who also beat the lap record.

The timings achieved by Leinders and Narain were only slower than Formula One cars and faster than S300 time.

Confronted with a wet track, Narain finished sixth in the second event and failed to finish on the podium in either race.

However, he expressed satisfaction with his performance

"I am satisfied that I made a mark at Monza," declared Narain, adding:"the car was brilliant and the set-up was good. I am happy that we had a good qualifying."

Narain, who was driving on the Monza track for the first time, spun his wheels at the start and was back to third place. A loose wheel-nut on the left front suspension saw him lose two seconds a lap and he was forced to retire on the ninth lap.

In the second race, his car was forced off the track into the wet grass as he was squeezed off by Justin Wilson before the first corner and the race was over for him.