Monza to be Chandhok’s last race with HRT
It was rumored recently that the 26-year-old Indian's sponsor money is drying up, putting his job in danger even before the 2010 season is finished.
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| Chandhok's days appear numbered |
The German publication Speedweek reported from Valencia that September's Italian grand prix at Monza could be Chandhok's last race.
"I want to go until the end of the season, I think the team is satisfied with me," Chandhok is quoted as responding.
"Should there be a change, it will not be my decision," he added.
Chandhok has openly suggested that moving to Force India would make good commercial sense both for himself and for Vijay Mallya's team.
But owner and boss Mallya said in Valencia he is looking elsewhere for an Indian driver.
"I've got to start looking for somebody really young — amongst 1.2 billion people there's got to be a Lewis Hamilton somewhere.
"It's like trying to pick a needle from a haystack, but we are now going to launch a nationwide program in India to identify young talent and this is a pretty complex exercise," added billionaire Mallya.
06/21/10 (GMM) Karun Chandhok has played down recent reports that he could be set to lose his formula one seat. An Indian newspaper said the 26-year-old rookie's sponsorship stream is drying up, leading HRT team boss Colin Kolles to open talks with potential replacements.
Rumors suggest Dutchman Christijan Albers, Narain Karthikeyan and Pastor Maldonado, as well as Chandhok's HRT test colleagues Sakon Yamamoto and Christian Klien, might be in the running.
"There is so much speculation and I don't know if it is being started by other drivers who are trying to get in or whatever," Chandhok told Reuters while visiting Silverstone at the weekend for the MotoGP race.
"Three weeks ago Bruno (Senna) was the one. All over the internet it was 'Bruno's out and so and so is coming in with money' and this week it seems to be my turn," he added.
"As far as I know I am in Valencia, I am in the car and I am in for the rest of the season," said Chandhok.
06/12/10 Supporting what our inside sources told us earlier today, Karun Chandhok could be set to lose his formula one seat due to his stream of sponsorship funds drying up.
A report in the English language Indian newspaper Hindustan Times on Saturday said the boss of the HRT team, Colin Kolles, is in talks with potential replacements for the 26-year-old from Chennai.
Former Midland and Spyker racer Christijan Albers may be one potential candidate. The Dutchman has F1 experience and has driven for Kolles' formula one, DTM and Le Mans teams.
Albers, 31, said this week that he might soon return to F1 "with the help of my loyal sponsors. I have a partner that just might give that final push".
Referring to 'sources', Hindustan Times said Narain Karthikeyan and Pastor Maldonado, and HRT third driver Sakon Yamamoto, might also be in the running for Chandhok's drive.
Chandhok acknowledged in Montreal that the Indian corporate world has not fully backed him, while angling for a Force India seat "at some point in my career".
"I've been chasing (Indian) sponsors for years in GP2 and formula three and stuff, and there are people who want to get involved but are sitting on the fence," he said.
Chandhok's influential father, the high-ranking Indian motor racing official Vicky Chandhok, is in Montreal this weekend.
06/12/10 According to well connected AutoRacing1.com inside sources, Dr. Colin Kolles is looking for a replacement for Karun Chandhok for the HRT F1 team. Names we have heard are Sakon Yamamoto, Christian Albers and Narain Karthikeyan.