India has a special place in my heart: Sauber head Monisha

Indian Grand Prix is an emotional race for Dehradun-born Sauber F1 team principal Monisha Kaltenborn, who says the native country is where "my heart will always be".

Monisha, who etched her name in the record books after becoming the first woman team principal in the history of F1, feels that her strong Indian connect has helped her to stay focussed and determined.

"Our value systems are very strong. We are very hard working and we are passionate about our goals in life. It helped me a lot," said Monisha.

Born as Monisha Narang, her parents shifted to Vienna when she was only eight, but Hindi still remains a part of her daily life.

"Hindi is very much a part of the language of my home and my children speak it a bit, though my in-laws struggle to understand it. We cook Indian food and curry is loved in my family.

"Once you are a part of a country, it stays forever with you and it becomes an important part of your character," she stressed.

As a child, Monisha wanted to be an astronaut but things took a turn after she joined a law firm.

"I had never planned it. I was working for a law firm, Frits Kaiser group, and one of the projects was with the Sauber team. F1 was very popular in Austria and was always on the TV. It all started then and has made me what I am today. It's the determination that matters in any field," she informed.

The team principle, meanwhile, refused to confirm the media reports that suggest Sahara Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg is almost a certainity in their line-up for the next season.

"Nico is a very good driver. We are in talks with a number of drivers and we will make an announcement shortly.

... contd.

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