Indian motorsport needs someone to ‘break the ice’ for F1 breakthrough: Gaurav Gill

India’s most decorated rally driver, Gaurav Gill, is mighty impressed by the growing interest in motorsport among youngsters and believes the country has the talent to reach Formula One, but needs someone to “break the ice” at the highest level to turn that potential into reality.

A seven-time Indian national rally champion and three-time Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) winner, Gill became the first Indian driver to win the overall FIA APRC title in 2013.

“Somebody has to just break the ice and find a way to go out to the top,” Gill told PTI in an interview on the sidelines of the Indian National Car Racing Championship at Kari Motor Speedway here.

An Arjuna Award recipient, he has spent years competing at the highest levels of international rallying and believes Indian motorsport has made considerable progress in developing talent. The journey from Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula One driver, and Karun Chandhok, who followed him to the sport’s top tier, to the current generation reflects that progress.

Kush Maini is competing in Formula 2 and has also served as an F1 reserve driver, while young karting sensation Atiqa Mir has made strides on the international stage, including entry into the F1 Academy’s development pathway.

Gill’s own career, which began in single-seater racing before he made his mark in rallying, is another example of the range of talent India has produced.