Narain has been around the Formula racing track for some years now and despite a string of fine performances, the financial chequered flag appears a mirage for this modest 24-year old from Coimbatore.

For Narain, the coming weeks hold the key to his racing future. Good performances in the World Cup at Macau and the inaugural Korean Grand Prix this month, followed by some hard headed marketing of himself should at least put him on firm footing for the New Year.

At the cross-roads: Having spent two seasons in the British Formula 3 circuit, and finishing a creditable Overall sixth in the '99 series, Narain finds himself at the cross-roads. His continuance in the F3 series next season hinges much on whether Stewart-Ford will signhim on for the entire championship, but then, Narain is also eyeing the Formula One test driver's spot.

``If I can get to be a test driver in one of the F1 teams, then nothing quite like it, or else, I might have to give another try in the British F3 championship next year,'' said Narain in a chat with this paper soon after Wednesday's press conference.

Hoping for a break: Though the test driver remains virtually anonymous, unless he gets a break that current World champion Mika Hakkinen did with McLaren some years ago when he replaced No.2 driver Michael Andretti, Narain would have to spend the year in comparative anonymity, even granting that he would gain by way of experience.

Narain's new partner in the Stewart Racing team at Macau and Seoul is Luciano Burti of Brazil who reportedly stands to earn about 3 lakh Pounds (about Rs 2.1 crore) as test driver for the Jaguar Formula One team (previously Stewart-Ford).

It was in this context Narain remarked that if he gets a break in Formula One,then he could think of some earnings.

Corporate indifference: But presently, Narain is bending his back to convince the Indian Corporate community, obsessed as it is with cricket, to invest in motor sports, or more specifically, back him.

The structure of Formula racing is such that a competitor has to initially pay the team he would like to drive for. In Narain's case, his expense for the '99 season, including the fee to Carlin Motorsport, nine-month stay in England, air fare, etc., has been in the region of Rs 1.25 crore.

For the 2000 season, it would cross Rs 1.50 crore if he chooses a top-end team like Stewart Racing. The onus is on the prospective driver to bring in sponsorship which will underwrite his expenses.

Sponsorship worries: As such, Narain spent much of '99 worrying more about sponsorship rather than focussing totally on racing. To an extent, it greatly affected his performances. Young drivers from Brazil, Europe or, somebody like Alex Yoong of Malaysia, had no suchworries.

Even before the season commenced, they made the payments up-front and that done, concentrated wholly on racing. In contrast, Narain's plight was pitiable. He was quicker than most on the track and obviously more talented, but had to keep one eye on his bank balance which was a major distraction.

The irony is that while Formula One race telecasts enjoy a viewership of about 1.25 million in India, Narain is struggling for recognition, not just from the public, but, as importantly, the Corporate World.

But, to Narain's credit is his dedication, self-belief and an eternal hope that, indeed, some day in the near future, he would become India's first-ever Formula One racing driver. He dreams of it because he believes it is possible.