Karun Chandhok - Reserve Driver for Team Lotus

Team Lotus will now comprise of six drivers with Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli as race drivers, Luiz Razia as a third diver, Davide Valsecchi and Ricardo Teixeira as Test drivers while Chandhok will play the role of a Reserve Driver.

Karun Chandhok as Reserve Driver for Team Lotus

Only the second Indian to enter the Formula One grid, Chandhok raced for HRT Cosworth last season and placed 22nd in the drivers’ championship. He will be seen in the Friday practice runs during the race weekends from the start of the season in Melbourne next week. 

“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”, said an excited Chandhok. 

Chandhok seemed to run out of alternatives after his last season until he was announced as a reserve racer for Team Lotus. "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,” he added. The team believes that his ideas on the car’s technical front and his talent will be handy with respect to the development of the T128’s performance in the season.

Team Principal Tony Fernandes said, “Karun represents the future of motor racing. 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.” 

Team Lotus (Lotus Racing in 2010 season) did not manage to score any points last year but with six drivers against their name they seem all set to take on the new season like a new day. What will be interesting to see is Team Lotus’ strategy in using their drivers efficiently enough to ensure that it has a point finish this season. In the meanwhile, all Indians are keeping their fingers crossed in the hope to see two of our racers on the grid this season.