Saturday, March 5 2005 16:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: After raising the bar beyond expectations by taking the ninth spot in the first qualifying, Narain Karthikeyan today (Mar 5, 2005) said he is happy to be the best rookie in the field.

The 28-year-old Indian, who will become the first Indian in Formula One when he zooms off the starting grid in Melbourne tomorrow, said, "I had done a good job for sure. I'm happy with my job and to be the best rookie out there. I hope to do a similar job in the second qualifying tomorrow and then in the race.

"I'm very excited because I always used to look upto drivers like Michael Schumacher and suddenly you are racing alongside him," Karthikeyan said in a teleconference with mediapersons in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.

"I never expected to do this well today but with more experience I will be able to do better. Both Trevor Carlin (Jordan's Sporting Director) and the boss is really happy with my performance," he said.

Asked about his target for tomorrow, Karthikeyan was very realistic and said it would be to make minimum mistakes and take the car home.

"The first task is to finish races and when we are in point scoring situations to take it. But the weather will play a big part as it keeps changing here. It will be sunny and soon it will turn to a downpour. It will be tricky conditions but will be an interesting race," he said.

Karthikeyan was happy that he again proved to be Jordan Toyota's best bet.

"Tiego Monteiro (of Portugal) is a good driver but today he faced some problems. I'm quicker than him and hope to continue this way."

"There are lot of trees around the circuit and falling leaves make it more slippery. My 1:44 is a good time considering the wet track.

The engine and tyres everything worked well but then there is little chance of anything going wrong in qualifying which is just one lap," he said.

On the new rules, Karthikeyan said it would be important to conserve the tyres.

"The experienced drivers know how to preserve the tyres. We (rookies) will also learn. But the faster you learn the better for you," he said.

The other two rookies, besides the two from Jordan, are Minardi's Christijan Albers of Holland and Patrick Friesacher of Austria.

On what he wished to change with his team, Karthikeyan said the main problem was the take over by Midland Group happened very late.

"Now we are managing with last year's car. But by the middle of the season we will have some new parts," he said.