'Kids need to be backed'

Driver agent and coach John Beale, who has worked in Formula One and GP Two for well over a decade, said he was disappointed with how motor sports is being handled in India.

“I’ve spent a little time in India and I’ve noticed that there is no module in place,” said Beale, who was in the City to brief young drivers about karting at the Torq03 Karting course.

“Take a look at Renault, they have their own racing development programme for youngsters and that really helps them get a grip of things. Force India and Vijay Mallya needs to do something like this to improve the state of the sport in the country. At least sponsor some talented kids. That’s not going to amount to much.”

It is a known fact that driving for a team is an expensive affair but testing a car was considered a cheaper affair. Beale, however, said that testing is expensive but places like Malaysia and Singapore are exceptions.

“Motor sports is predominantly about money. Drivers need the money to enter a championship and need a whole lot more to stay there. One of the biggest drawbacks is that drivers do not have the money to test, and that’s quite a sum. If a driver does not test, he’s not going to get anywhere but then again there are some people who are so good that they have sponsors lining up in front of their house,” said Beale.

Recently, Beale, who is also Malaysian Lotus Racing test driver Mohammed Fairuz Fauzy’s agent, signed up UAE’s Indian-born Masood Mohammed, and tipped him to go a long way. The 17-year-old Masood plans to drive in India and represent his country of birth in the near future.
“Masood’s a really talented driver and that’s why we chose to work with him. He’s got a great physique and also a very sharp racing mind. We’re planning to push him across as an Indian as he’s born here and then have him grow. We’re planning to go to the Formula BMW, the Formula Renault, the World Series and eventually, if all works out, Formula One. World Series is a great platform. Drivers like Sebastian (Vettel), Robert Kubica and Lewis (Hamilton) were a part of that event and see where they are now,” said Beale.