Chandhok says no to F1 team Hispania, Narain yes
January 7th, 2011 - 8:05 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Jan 7 (IANS) India’s Narain Karthkeyan has accepted the offer from the Hispania Racing Team (HRT) to race in the 2011 Formula One season while compatriot Karun Chandhok, who drove for HRT last season, did not renew his contract. Chandhok, who completed eight out of 10 races in the last season, congratulated Narain on his F1 return, saying it is good that at least one Indian driver will be on view at the inaugural Delhi F1 race.
As for his own reluctance to rejoin HRT, Chandhok said he wanted to switch to a better team.
“Narain’s return is good as Indian F1 fans will see at least one of our own drivers featuring in the inaugural Delhi race,” Chandhok told IANS.
“I had the offer from them (HRT) but I turned it down because it would not have served my purpose in the long run. Racing for the team in the first year made sense, but now I am looking at a team that could fetch me points.”
Asked about his F1 future, Chandhok said: “I have zeroed in on two teams but I wouldn’t like to reveal the names till I finalise the deal, which might come through in a couple of weeks.”
Hispania under team principal Collin Kolles had a forgettable last season as it failed to gain a point and reports of its cash crunch did not help its cause either.
Thursday, Narain announced his comeback to the F1 after five years. He drove for another back of the grid team Jordan in 2005 and in the subsequent two years he was a test driver for Williams.
The F1 season starts in March with the Bahrain Grand Prix and the 18th race will be in New Delhi from October 28-30.
- Karthikeyan returns to Formula One - Jan 06, 2011
- Team Hispania have high hopes with Karthikeyan - Jan 12, 2011
- Karthikeyan to test new car only a week before Bahrain opener - Jan 26, 2011
- We'll race Karthikeyan entire season: HRT - Feb 17, 2012
- Chandhok eyeing test driver's spot in F1 - Jan 28, 2011
- Painful to watch race from sidelines: Karun Chandhok - Oct 25, 2011
- F1 driver Ricciardo enthralls fans in the capital - Oct 01, 2011
- Narain Karthikeyan to make F1 return with Hispania - Jan 08, 2011
- I'll try to be in F1 as long as I can: Chandhok (Interview) - Oct 27, 2011
- Karun's hopes of Indian GP still hang in balance - Oct 23, 2011
- Karthikeyan happy with US NASCAR series - Dec 05, 2010
- FI driver Chandhok in talks with Force India for 2011 season - Nov 11, 2010
- Karthikeyan trying to get a race before Indian GP - Sep 02, 2011
- I1-Super Series: Dhoni and Yuvraj in race to own franchise - Nov 15, 2011
- Karun Chandhok to drive in Friday practice at Valencia GP - Jun 22, 2011
Tags: bahrain grand prix, cash crunch, compatriot, f1 fans, f1 race, f1 season, formula one, hrt, India, jan 7, narain, New Delhi, reluctance, team jordan, team principal, test driver