This race is considered to be one of the highlights of the International F3 calendar, watched by influential Formula One Team bosses, according to a press release from Carlin Motorsport for whom Narain drives.

With Damon Hill leaving the Jordan team after this race and many other F1 drivers locked into long-term contracts, teams such as Jordan, BAR, Prost and Stewart are on the lookout for replacements for the immediate and long-term future.

At the last race, Narain, supported by Kingfisher, Mobil 1, TATA and JK Tyre, was robbed of pole position when Championship leader Luciano Burti held back a set of new tyres for the second qualifying session.

As the session began, Narain quickly moved up theleader board, swapping places with his main adversaries. With only 11 minutes of the session remaining, Narain was poised for a provisional front-row start with only Button ahead of him on the grid, but behind him in the Championship points.