Narain Karthikeyan has set his sights on one of the greatest challenges open to a modern day sportsman -- a place on the Formula One grid within the next millennium. The importance of support from his homeland cannot be underestimated.

Narain has enjoyed a growing support from mainstream British fans and also extensive media exposure as a result of his backing from some of India's premier companies -- Kingfisher, Mobil One, Tata and JK Tyre.

In a recent prime time National TV news story about the impending retirement of Damon Hill, Narain was featured as the up-and-coming driver to fill the enormous void left by Britain's favourite sportsman, according to a press release from CarlinMotorsport.

With three English drivers battling for superiority in the series and Brazil's Luciano Burti lying in second place overall, this is a testament to recognition of the skills that Narain brings to the track.

Narain's total dominance during his two historic race wins this season in F3 have already made their mark on the Formula One establishment. Formula One is led by technology and financed by marketing objectives and the prospect of capturing the attention of Narain's millions of supporters in India, stimulates the machinery which effects the decisions of major corporations who back this high profile sport.

Narain says: ``I have only two objectives and that is to race in Formula One and be the first-ever world champion from my country. I am breaking new ground and there is no known path for me to follow.''

``But with the support of my people back home and India's premier companies, I will be able to achieve the first objective and become a player in the World series.''

Brazil, inparticular, is renowned for its support of drivers who have succeeded in the Formula One arena. But through the wishes and support of the Indian people, the World of Formula One could see a new star on the horizon.

Narain is India's greatest hope of representation on this global stage of sport and he is making sure that he does everything possible to bring his dream to reality.