The Hindu : Sport : Angry Narain refutes Villeneuve's allegation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 10, 2005

Sport

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Angry Narain refutes Villeneuve's allegation

STICKING TO HIS STAND: Narain Karthikeyan feels his tactics at Nurburgring was justified. — Photo: AP

London: Piqued by the barrage of criticism for using ``blocking tactics'' to stave off former world champion Jacques Villeneuve in the European Grand Prix, India's Narain Karthikeyan vowed to do the same again if required.

Both Narain and Villeneuve went wheel-to-wheel during the European Grand Prix at Nurburgring, Germany, following which the Sauber Petronas driver confronted the Indian much to the latter's chagrin.

Refuting the blocking allegations, Karthikeyan said he might have come in front of the Sauber in Germany but there was nothing wrong in it and went on to add that he would repeat it if needed.

"I didn't block — maybe once on a straight — but he thought differently," Karthikeyan said.

"I was angry (with Villeneuve's outburst). You don't expect him to (confront) like that. We'll see. I'm here to race and I'll do the same again," said an undaunted Karthikeyan.

"You need to race, especially if you have half a chance. Villeneuve's car wasn't two seconds faster than mine. I thought I was doing the right thing and I still think so," he added.

Sticking to his ground, the Jordan driver, however, suggested he and Villeneuve should talk over the issue to clear the air.

Meanwhile, attention will be riveted on Renault and McLaren as they strive to demonstrate their superiority over Ferrari as Formula One moves to North America for the first of two races on the continent. Between them they have won all of the races this season with Renault's Fernando Alonso snatching a victory at the European Grand Prix over McLaren rival Kimi Raikkonen after the Finn's car lost a wheel.

Raikkonen was set to secure his third consecutive win before the last-lap setback at the Nurburgring, but is confident he can narrow the 32-point gap on championship leader Alonso at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and open up the title race.

- Agencies

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