Racing is now a sensation in India, thanks to Karun Chandhok. In conversation with Sudeshna Guha Roy of Zeenews.com during a Tag Heuer press conference in the capital recently, Karun said that given the kind of performance portrayed by Indian racers all over the world, the nation is ready to host a successful 2011 Formula One race. “We have two drivers who have driven Formula One cars. We have a team in Formula One. We have two racers who have raced in A1GP and GP2 which is highest in the world. I think we have done significantly better than most other countries on the planet. So I guess, we are ready to host the formula one races,” said Karun Chandhok.
Karun Chandhok says a lack of corporate dollars is keeping him from making the final step into formula one.
Despite his countryman Vijay Mallya running the Force India operation, the Indian billionaire for a second consecutive season will field a German and Italian driver combination, even though Chandhok, 25, and Narain Karthikeyan, throng the international racing scene. “Finance is one thing,” said Chandhok, who has previously tested for Red Bull Racing.
“For a formula one drive, you are looking at 10-15 million dollars. That’s a significant amount of money when you convert it into rupees,” he said in Delhi during a sponsor press conference. Chandhok also believes the departure from the scene of the Honda-powered Honda and Super Aguri teams has complicated the task for F1 hopefuls.
“Like I said it is four less seats, which has made it more difficult,” Karun confirmed.
“I’ve known Tiago for a few years now since we briefly raced together in World Series and of course he was Narain’s team-mate at Jordan. I really believe that having an ex-F1 driver running a team is a big plus as he understands what is needed from our perspective,” Karun Chandhok said in a release.
Ocean Racing Technology has secured a top driver contract for the GP2 Main Series with Indian driver, Karun Chandhok joining forces with the Portuguese team, making him the first driver confirmed for the outfit directed by Tiago Monteiro.
At 24, Karun has two complete seasons in the series under his belt as well as two victories and therefore brings great experience with him that will be decisive for the all new team in the GP2 Main Series.
“It is very important for Ocean Racing Technology to guarantee the presence of a talented driver such as Karun Chandhok. He is fast, hard worker and already has some great results on different kinds of tracks”.