Karun Chandhok optimistic for his seat in Formula One next season
Karun Chandhok is looking forward for having his place confirmed in 2011, Formula One season before Christmas.
The start of the current season saw the Indian driver make his debut in the highest ranking series of the auto sport world, Formula One with the Hispania Racing Team (HRT). Although the driver believed that he was giving a satisfactory performance but his
team only let him drive in the first ten races of the year. By mid season, he was replaced by the Japanese driver, Sakon Yamamoto, who ran the next nine races with HRT.
Despite of staying out of the grid for a long time, the driver managed to stay in the news all through the season. Some major projects by the driver kept him in the headlines every now and then. Presently, as many of the drivers who have had their rookie
season are facing a tough time in finding their place with some team, Chandhok stays calm and peaceful. While talking to the media this Monday, he told that he is working on a return to the series next season. He revealed that talks have already being going
on for several months and very soon the deal will be finalised and signed. However, the driver refrained from disclosing the team’s name he is in negotiation with.
While addressing his fans earlier this week the young driver said, “My goal for next year as I’ve said before is still firmly to be in Formula 1 and negotiations for a drive in the 2011 F1 World Championship are progressing in the right way, so hopefully
we’ll have a final program in place before the F1 world shuts for Christmas.”
Chandhok has not driven an F1 car since he drove at the British Grand Prix at the mid of the season. Although he has remained signed with the Hispania Team all through the season yet he has not been given a chance behind the wheel since July.
A few weeks back the driver was seen in a GP2 car. Moreover, he also had a trial of the feeder series’ next generation machine earlier this month. Also, the driver took part in the test drive of the new Pirelli tyres at Paul Ricard, France, in the mid of
November.
The 26-year-old has also kept himself busy last weekend as he went for a pre-season testing with the GP2 racing series in Abu Dhabi. During the session, the driver once again got the chance of driving with his former team, Ocean Racing Technology. Later,
he conducted more test sessions with the other GP2 team Coloni squad.
As the driver talked to the reports following the end-of- season tests he said, “For me, it’s a good way to learn another new Formula 1 circuit ahead of the 2011 Formula 1 World Championship and a chance to further knock off the rust after having tested
the new GP2 car and Pirelli tyres at Paul Ricard in France last week.”
He further stated, “It’s important to keep driving as much as possible and be race ready for the new season in 2011.”
So far, none of the three new teams of 2010 calendar, namely Virgin, Lotus and HRT has confirmed their driver line-ups for the upcoming season. Although there is news suggesting that Lotus is going to continue with both the previous drivers, Jarno Trulli
and Heikki Kovalainen, and Timo Glock will be seen with Virgin once again yet nothing has been officially confirmed so far.
Chandhok has also been recommended by the Formula One supremo, Bernie Ecclestone for 2011season, as the calendar is going to see the debut Indian Grand Prix next year.
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