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. ”
Karun Chandhok’s sophomore GP2 Series campaign this year ultimately turned out to be something of a rollercoaster ride for the likeable Indian, with victory at Hockenheim and hugely popular podium finishes both in Monaco and on ‘home’ turf at Silverstone interspersed by some appalling ill-fortune.
With his focus set firmly on becoming his country’s second representative in Formula 1 by following in the wheeltracks of compatriot Narain Karthikeyan, the 24-year-old looks back over his second season in the top flight’s feeder formula, and ahead to what 2009 may hold in-store for him…
In qualifying for the first round of the ‘summer series’ in Barcelona, it was a shame Romain Grosjean blew his engine and dumped some oil at the first corner in the final three minutes. I lost two tenths of a second on my best lap, which cost me a top three slot on the grid and left me seventh.
Monza, Italy, September 15th 2008: Following his impressive second season in the GP2 Series, Formula 1’s official feeder formula, India’s Karun Chandhok picked up the award for the “best driving style” at a glittering ceremony at the Sporting Club Monza in Italy on Sunday evening.
The 24-year-old from Chennai, who is backed by Red Bull, Punj Lloyd, JK Tyre, Amaron, ICSA Logistics and Sidvin, ended the 20-race season in the top 10 in points. His year was highlighted by victory at Hockenheim in Germany, as well as podiums at classic grand prix venues Monaco and Silverstone for his iSport International team.
“Overall, it’s been a positive season. I am very pleased with the progress I have made this year” said Chandhok. “Winning my second GP2 race was a big highlight, and having been a regular front runner this year has put me in a good position in the que of drivers trying to break into Formula 1.
Karun Chandok has suggested that he is in contention for the Force India F1 seat for 2009.
Although this news might now be new, what interests me is the fact that Adrian Sutil is on a one year contract extension. Mallya, the newbie, managing to keep the driver in his garage, while big name teams wanted him, is an achievement. And as far as 2009 goes, I think its too early.
For all we know Red Bull might offer Karun a role and that will be a tough decision for him to make.
The Red Bull Formula 1 team has invited GP2 driver Karun Chandhok to test with for Red Bull Racing when F1 testing resumes at the Circuit de Catalunya.
It will be the first time for Chandhok to test with a Formula One car.
Winning at Spa was the highlight of Chandhok’s season in GP2, having secured the drive after being crowned the 2006 Asian Formula Renault V6 Champion, with seven wins and nine pole positions.
Karun Chandhok joined the GP2 series at the start of 2007 with the Durango team. He faced a difficult season and was hardly found in the top ten. He won the Belgian Grand Prix though after a stunning performance.
In November Chandhok enjoyed his Formula 1 debut with the Red Bull Racing team. But he will stay focussed on GP2. “I’ll try to get another year of GP2 and win as many races as possible,” Chandhok told GPUpdate.net. “I think we showed enough potential this year, I’ve won a race and hopefully next season I will do that on a more regular basis. If I could combine that with as much Formula 1 testing as possible, that would be the ideal scenario.
The iSport GP2 team has announced its 2008 driver line up for the Asia and main series. The team came to an agreement with Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok. The team came to an agreement with Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok. Both drivers enjoyed a successful test with the team in the team’s winter test programme. read more Both drivers enjoyed a successful test with the team in the team’s winter test programme. Read more