PERSONAL /COMPETITOR SPECIAL................WHAT I LEARNT FROM MY COMPETITOR(17)

 WHAT I LEARNT FROM MY COMPETITOR(17)

“To Finish First is Difficult without a Ruthless Streak“

Narain Karthikeyan, Racing Driver

CLAIM TO FAME: In 2005 he became the first Indian driver to race in Formula 1, and remains one of only two Indians, the other being Karun Chandhok, to have been part of F1

THE LESSON: Karthikeyan says learning is a huge part of sport but in individual sports like F1 or any motorsport in general, it is every man for himself. “Your teammate is your first and foremost rival, hence not many drivers are willing to divulge information that they think gives them an advantage.“ However, he adds, it is not difficult to figure things out given that motorsport is data-intensive. His teammates in F1 included Tiago Monteiro at Jordan in 2005 and Vitantonio Liuzzi at HRT in 2011, and Pedro de la Rosa at HRT in 2012.

Karthikeyan believes being ruthless is a prerequisite to success in any sport. “Nice guys may not finish last, but to finish first will be difficult unless a ruthless streak is underlying.“

Talking of why it is important to learn from your competition, he says, “You have to understand their strengths vis-à-vis yours, and fill any gaps, any chinks in your armour as far as your craft is concerned. How much you can understand and implement entirely depends on you.“

(G Seetharaman)

ETM27DEC15