Bharath learns the ropes one step at a time

Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok weren't the only Indians waving the tri-colour in Sepang this weekend. 16-year-old Bengaluru lad Raj Bharath was also part of this weekend's proceedings - the only Indian driver in the JK Racing Asia Series.

Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok weren't the only Indians waving the tri-colour in Sepang this weekend. 16-year-old Bengaluru lad Raj Bharath was also part of this weekend's proceedings - the only Indian driver in the JK Racing Asia Series.

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After the race, in which he finished 12th out of 18 cars, he said, "This is my first international event in this category. I did much better in the second race. I've kind of got the grip of the car and the racing pattern."

Bharath, who recently passed the 10th grade, took up karting at 13. He was a national tennis player in the sub-junior level, but gave it up after being told that he had to stay and train abroad. The decision didn't go down well with his mother.

Regarding the car, he said, "It's the most powerful car I've driven. A Honda City will have a similar speed on the straight but this car has brakes that are many times stronger, hence you can brake later.

(The writer's trip has been sponsored by JK Tyre)