Team Lotus has today confirmed the signing of Karun Chandhok as their reserve driver for the 2011 season.
Chandhok will get the opportunity to compete in the T128 during first practice sessions at some grand prix weekends. The first being this Friday at the opening race of the season in Australia.
The Indian driver made his F1 debut in 2010 with newcomer’s Hispania Racing, before the outfit dropped him with a handful of races remaining due to a lack of sponsorship funding.
Team principal Tony Fernandes, a friend of Chandhok’s, said he is delighted to confirm the appointment of the 27-year-old.
“This is another great day for Team Lotus. Karun’s appointment to our team gives us not only his immense driving talent and F1 experience, both of which will help us develop the car even further, but also brings one of the warmest, most professional personalities I have the pleasure of knowing into the Team Lotus family.
“I do not think it is going too far to say that Karun represents the future of motor racing – he is living proof that geography is no boundary to talent and ambition and that you will succeed if you work hard and keep dreaming. He is fiercely proud of his Indian heritage but he has a truly global outlook and I am honoured that Team Lotus is now giving one of India’s brightest stars the chance to continue to develop his talent. Everyone in the team is excited about working with Karun, and I cannot wait to see him representing the Indian nation in our car.”
Karun Chandhok added: “I’ve been talking to the team for quite a while about a role with them and I’m delighted we’re now able to confirm that I will be driving for Team Lotus in 2011. The details of exactly which sessions I will be in the car for are being worked out now and after having spent some time with them at the recent pre-season tests I can see exactly how passionate everyone in Team Lotus is about taking this team back to the top of the F1 grid.
“These are very exciting times for Team Lotus and it’s a real honour to be able to play a part in helping shape this team’s future. I want to thank Tony, Din, Nasa, Riad and Mike for having the faith in me to give me a chance to help the team develop and I’ll do my best to repay that faith wherever I can.”
He joins drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli, alongside third drivers Luiz Razia and Davide Valsecchi and test driver Ricardo Teixeira.
