Karun Chandhok: “Disappointed not to run”

Until the end, Karun Chandhok believed in it. Many people also thought that the Indian driver's participation in the German GP last July had been planned to allow him to get his bearings before competing in the Indian GP, ​​the first in history. Unfortunately, Team Lotus preferred to entrust its two T128s to its two starters, Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli. Even if Tony Fernandes offers him the opportunity to take part in the first free practice session, Chandhok does not hide his disappointment at not being on the starting grid on Sunday.

“I am very excited to ride on the new Buddh International Circuit during the first free practice session in front of my home crowd, He says. But I'm obviously disappointed not to have the chance to race on Sunday. I accept the team?s decision to opt for the experience and talent they have available with Jarno and Heikki. The team is still young, still growing, and I know they are doing their best to ensure their future in the discipline. Sometimes tough decisions have to be made. In this case, the choice must have been very difficult to make. The team and its 254 employees, on the circuits and in the factory, are preparing for the future. For me, I think I have matured as a driver off the track thanks to my role during the Friday sessions. »

Discover in your AUTOhebdo magazine, on newsstands tomorrow, an exclusive 19-page report on India. A few days before the first Indian Grand Prix in history, we went there and interviewed the major players in Indian motorsport, including Vijay Mallya, Vicky and Karun Chandhok, Narain Karthikeyan, etc.