Young racing prodigy Armaan Ebrahim set the Sepang track ablaze, finishing third during testing for A1 Team India in the third round of the A1GP at Sepang, Malaysia, in Sepang on Friday.
The 19-year-old was excited to drive the Ferrari powered car and exuded confidence that India will be able to win the A1GP championship on Sunday.
"We have a pretty good chance of finishing at the top. The runners have done very well and as a team we have a brilliant chance of winning some crucial points and topping the podium," Armaan said.
"This is the first time I am driving for the A1GP with a new car. In the past, I had raced a couple of times in the A1GP circuit but it was with the old car. This car, powered by Ferrari, has a better down force and brakes. It is brilliant and I'm very excited to race here," he added.
Armaan completed 14 laps, with a fastest lap timing of 1:52.739, behind Nicolas Prost from Team France and Englishman Danny Watts, who took pole position with the quickest lap time of 1:51.096.
"I was quite confident since I am familiar with the Sepang track. This helped me to focus more on the functioning and performance of the car," Armaan added.
Narain Karthikeyan also battled tough weather conditions to finish third in the lead driver's practice session, just a 10th away off Team Switzerland, while Team Great Britain finished on top. Team India's fastest lap time during the practice session was recorded at 1:50.187.
On a personal front, Armaan said he is planning to race in the Formula II series next year as it will improve his chance of making it to the Formula one circuit.
"I would like to be soon in the F1 circuit, but I can't say whether it will happen in the next one or two years because it all depends on the budget. It is obviously tough to have a sponsor but I am hopeful to make it soon.
"I am planning to race in Formula II series next year and avail of the much-needed exposure in Europe. Although nothing has been decided as yet but I am keeping my fingers crossed," he said.
The three top finishers in F2 will get a super-license and a chance to test a Williams F1 car.
Upbeat about the prospect of F1 coming to India, the teenager said, "I am just hoping we can have this F1 circuit in India by 2011. It is going to be a big thing and we would have the highest level of racing in India. It will help to get more and more people interested in the sport and is best for the drivers," he said.
