Will Continue Top-Flight Racing Until I Turn 40, Says Narain Karthikeyan

India's pioneering Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan is a lot more comfortable competing in Japan than what he felt during his first stint there in 2001, so much so that the return has given the 37-year-old fresh motivation to extend his two decade old single seater career by at least three more years.

Karthikeyan showed he still has the pace by qualifying on the front row for the Japan-based Super Formula opener in Suzuka last month.

The series (erstwhile known as Formula Nippon) has a competitive field comprising local and foreign recruits, and the Coimbatore-born driver feels it only makes sense to continue in what is touted as the fastest single seater championship outside Formula 1 before he says goodbye to the exhilarating business.

"I don't think there is a better option than racing in Japan for another two or three seasons. And I would want to stop by the time enter 40s. It has been a long journey and you have to end it at some point," Karthikeyan told PTI in a freewheeling chat.

He hastens to add that taking part in the all electric Formula E and IndyCar in America is also on his single-seater wishlist. "But doing well in Super Formula is the priority for now," he said.

Come to think of it, Karthikeyan has been competing around the world ever since he learnt the tricks of the trade in the Elf Winfield Racing School in 1992. From F1 to racing trucks in America, he has done it all. If there is something left for him to try his hand at, it would have to be sports cars.

"After I am done with single seaters, which I have always rated higher than any other form of racing, I would want to do sports cars. As it is, I have got some unfinished business left at 24 Hours of Le Mans," said Karthikeyan, who dislocated his shoulder minutes before the start of the iconic sports car endurance race in June 2009. Subsequently, the organisers ruled him unsuitable to drive.

While a bagful of international drivers took to saloon cars, Karthikeyan remained committed to single seaters.

"Though I rate sports car racing as highly as single seaters, I somehow felt that won't be able to give my best in tintops, especially in endurance racing where you have share the driving duties," he said.

Many including world champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton have said the Indian could not show his true pace in F1 as his three seasons were spent in a small team.

He, however, did enough to earn respect in the racing world and most recently his reputation helped him return to Japan after a forgettable experience in 2001.

"Back then, I was not comfortable at all. I was not enjoying and always wanted to fly back home. I could not focus as much as I wanted to because the aim was to break into F1," recalled Karthikeyan, who realised his F1 dream four years later when he was signed by Jordan.

His view of Japan now has changed drastically. "The Japanese treat you really well if they like you. I get along well with people at Team Impul. Most importantly, the car is quick and I am confident that I will match the pace-setters by the next round in Fuji. I am here to win races and hopefully I will go out on a high whenever the time comes," he concluded.