Karun Chandhok

Karun Chandhok returned to the track for the first time since the final round of the GP2 series in Monza to test with GP2 teams Fisichella Motorsport ( FMS ) as well as his team from the 2008 season, I-sport International.

The Indian who is now based in the UK tested with FMS in Jerez in the south of Spain and was one of the surprises of the day finishing with the 5th best time of the afternoon test. The FMS team is owned by F1 star Giancarlo Fisichella and is backed by the Force India Formula 1 team. The Italian squad haven’t had a strong season in 2008 and were surprised with the test results as well as being very pleased with the progress made.

Speaking after the test, Karun said “I got to know Giancarlo and his manager Enrico Zanarini this year since he has been driving for Force India and they asked if there was a chance to do a test together in their GP2 team. I was of course happy to do the test and I am glad that I was able to help them make some progress with the car after what was a difficult year for them. To be ahead of the cars from established top teams like Campos, Racing Engineering and I-Sport for the day was a great encouragement to the guys at FMS and I’m glad that I got to prove I am a front-runner irrespective of the team. They were a very friendly and great bunch of guys to work with.”

Later, Karun had the chance to get back into his old car at I-Sport for a test at the Paul Ricard circuit in France. “As is the case every winter, all the teams and drivers are testing different drivers and I-Sport wanted me to do a day to test alongside their other 2009 prospects so we can evaluate things on the same day. Of course the team and I know each other quite well but the test was a good chance to take stock of things after the season has finished. Unfortunately the weather was really bad and the persistent rain meant that the test wasn’t very conclusive.”

Looking ahead to 2009, Karun said “Obviously I’m looking at various options for teams for 2009 in GP2 and these winter tests have given me some idea of what the best choices are. Together with my sponsors, we’ve got a shortlist of teams that we think would give me the best chance to fight at the front of the GP2 series in 2009 and now it’s a question of negotiating with the teams to find the best solution.”

The BRDC is the world most elite and prestigious club with the members including the only a select few International drivers from outside of Britain.

The Club Secretary of the BRDC Stuart Pringle said “The BRDC is a Club for the very best racing drivers from Great Britain and the Commonwealth. Karun Chandhok is the first Indian driver to meet the exacting entry requirements of success in international motor sport, but I am quite sure he just the first of many of his countrymen and women.

Indeed, Karun doesn’t just meet the entry criteria for the Club, he surpasses them by someway and we are delighted to welcome him as a member of the Club. ”

Speaking on the occasion, Chandhok was delighted to receive such an exclusive privilege “To be a member of the BRDC is our racing equivalent of becoming a member of the MCC at Lords in Cricket or The All England Lawn Tennis club at Wimbledon. I feel very proud to be the first person from my country to join the BRDC. Racing in the UK has been a huge part of my life and my career and it’s a great feeling to be recognized by the people over here. The BRDC is based at Silverstone which is pretty much my home circuit until we get the Indian Grand Prix in 2011. I used to work here at the racing school during my F3 days and got to know more about the BRDC and appreciate how important and exclusive membership to the club is. ”