Khushlani determines to make mark in Formula BMW Asia series

Akhil Khushlani is determined to get noticed when he debuts in the Formula BMW Asia series about to begin in Sepang, Malaysia.

Continuing with the legacy of ace drivers Narain Karthikeyan and Armaan Ebrahim, another Indian racer Akhil Khushlani is determined to get noticed when he debuts in the Formula BMW Asia series beginning in Sepang, Malaysia, from Friday.

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The 17-year-old Khushlani, among the five selected racers in the BMW team, was picked from the strong field of 30 drivers at the Formula BMW's talent hunt and scholarship programme in Bahrain.

Khushlani said he was aware of the tough competition to face in the championship but was hopeful of a podium finish.

"There are 18 drivers in the fray and at least seven of them have the experience of being on the same tracks. They have also driven the same cars, which will be driven in the race. They would have the advantage but the kind of training we had got is going to help me," he said in an interview from Hyderabad.

"I should be in top three. The kind of practise I have got has growm me in confidence. I had the fastest lap to my credit during the scholarship programme," he said.

The teenager said he was sure of making a mark in the competition, which was considered the stepping stone for the Formula One races.

"Formula One teams would be there and it would be a big advantage to get spotted by them. This race is going to give me a lot of exposure," he added.

Khushlani, who has now got support of JK Racing for his endeavour at Formula BMW, has been racing Kart since the age of 10. As junior he participated in 43 races and recorded 31 wins. He became first Indian to finish as high as fifth at the World Karting Championship in Malaysia in 2005.