Chandhok replaces Trulli at Team Lotus for German Grand Prix
Karun Chandhok will return to grand prix racing this weekend in Germany when he replaces Jarno Trulli at Team Lotus, it was announced on Thursday
Chandhok, the second Indian driver to race in Formula 1 after Narain Karthikeyan, had been Lotus's reserve this season, getting behind the wheel of the car in practice for the Australian, Turkish, European and British Grands Prix.
The 27-year-old from Chennai had made his grand prix debut with the HRT team last year, and has not raced in F1 since the 2010 British Grand Prix. He was replaced by Japanese Sakon Yamamoto after that race.
Chandhok said: "Firstly I want to thank Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin for giving me the chance to race this weekend for Team Lotus.
"Ever since I first joined the team I have been looking forward to this opportunity and I am determined to do my best to repay their faith in me and help the team progress, this season and for many years to come. I am approaching the weekend in a very realistic frame of mind.
"I will be doing my best to push and to make sure I learn as much as possible all weekend, take each session as it comes and work as closely as I can with the engineers and the whole team to do the best job I can.
"Whatever happens, I am very excited about lining up on the grid on Sunday and I know there will be millions of Indian fans, and Team Lotus fans around the world, who will be behind me and the whole team, so I will do the best I can to give them something to cheer for."
Trulli has endured a difficult season so far this year, struggling to get the best out of his car due to his problems with the power steering, which the Italian says doesn't give him enough feedback.
The veteran was hoping an update to be introduced in the Hungarian Grand Prix would help him overcome the issues.
"I'm looking forward to working with Karun this weekend and doing whatever I can to help him get the most out of his opportunity in Germany," said Trulli.
"It's great that the team is true to its word of helping develop young talent, particularly from parts of the world where it is even harder to break through into the top rung of motorsport, so I'll be there to give him guidance and assistance, in and out of the car."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Martin: Marquez can fight for MotoGP victories from start of season
2021 IndyCar champion Palou joins McLaren as F1 reserve driver
The story of the 2011 Italian Grand Prix
Friday favourite: Why Herbert prefers a car he had to wrestle above his F1 winners
How BRM’s engine overreach hindered a pioneering F1 Lotus
Indy 500 retrospective: When Jones beat Clark and paused a revolution
Why Imola could bring “more chaos” to the WEC
Alonso hit with penalty for Sainz clash in China F1 sprint
Norris had no reason to apologise for China F1 sprint showing, says McLaren
Supercars New Zealand: Heimgartner splashes to Taupo opener victory
The short-term pain that hides a very real Williams improvement
How a Shanghai to Sheffield journey paved the way for China’s F1 hero
Why F1 2026 worst case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments