Karun Chandhok expected to join Team Lotus as their reserve driver for 2011
Karun Chandhok drove for HRT (Hispania Racing Team) in 2010 but it seems that the the driver had a lot of problems and conflicts with the team, and as a result, HRT released the Indian driver from the team. However, HRT decided to sign another Indian driver
as a replacement for Karun. The team recently signed Narain Karthikeyan as their full season driver for the 2011 Formula 1 season.
It seemed that Karun Chandhok might not have been able to sign with any of the Formula 1 teams for 2011 but it was recently revealed that the Indian driver might be confirmed as Lotus’s test/reserve driver very soon.
Karun and HRT had a disastrous debut season in the sport as they were unable to secure a single point throughout the season. The fans are expecting a lot from HRT in 2011 and it is expected that they will perform much better than they did in 2010.
Chandhok became the second Indian driver to drive in Formula 1 for a full season in 2010 but it seems that the first Indian Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan is going to be back in 2011 after almost 6 years as he was unable to race in the sport since he
left Jordan Grand Prix back in 2005.
Nevertheless, Chandhok was witnessed alongside Team Lotus' driver development official Alex Yoong recently. Team Lotus currently has Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli as its full season drivers and it is going to be a good experience for Karun to drive
alongside these two experienced drivers.
According to a report, Chandhok has already signed a contract with the team but it has not been revealed officially. The Indian driver himself also hinted recently that he is close to signing a deal with one of the team’s as their reserve/test driver for
2011.
“Nothing is final until you have a contract in your hands,” said Chandhok.
However, Heikki Kovalainen tested the new Lotus T128 for the first time at the second day of the first pre-season test session that took place in Valencia and it seems that the results of the new car are looking quite promising for the team.
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