Karun Chandhok waiting for Team Lotus’ decision regarding a race seat at Indian GP – Formula 1 news
Karun Chandhok has been fighting desperately to get a race seat for the inaugural 2011 Indian Grand Prix which is expected to take place this year at the end of October.
Since he is the test driver for the team, there is a chance that he might not take part at the race but he seems quite confident as the team’s principal Tony Fernandes has recently stated that he wanted the young Indian as a replacement for Jarno Trulli.
“It's obviously very nice to hear. He (Fernandes) is the man who can make it happen. I've just got to wait and see what he decides. I've been very involved in the circuit, I've been visiting the (Buddh circuit) site every month. To have the opportunity to drive would sort of complete that circle,” Chandhok told CNN.
Chandhok has not been able to prove anything yet as he has been driving for the back-running teams of the sport and is yet to secure his first Formula 1 points. Trulli on the other hand is very well experienced as a result of which, it would be a very awkward situation if that replacement takes place at the Indian Grand Prix.
“It's not ideal, there's no doubt about that. I experienced it last year; my drive was given to Sakon Yamamoto in the second half of the season. It's tough. When they put me in the car in Germany ... it's a very difficult situation. It can be awkward. But I have to say Jarno was fantastic,” he added.
It seems that the team might not have an issue with him performing in front of his home crowd this year as Narain Karthikeyan from Hispania Racing Team is probably going to get a race seat for his home race as well.
Karthikeyan was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo surprisingly despite the fact that the Indian driver had a race seat contract with the team while Ricciardo signed with the team as a test driver but has definitely been performing really well.
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