Chandhok aiming for two racing careers in 2012
Indian Formula One driver Karun Chandhok plans to have two careers in 2012 by combining his role as a reserve driver with a sportscar campaign which could give him a shot at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race.
Indian Formula One driver Karun Chandhok plans to have two careers in 2012 by combining his role as a reserve driver with a sportscar campaign which could give him a shot at the Le Mans 24 Hour Race.
Chandok, who raced for Team Lotus in Germany last season, as well as running nine times in Friday practice, recognises a full-time drive in F1 is unlikely next year.
But he won't be idle as he hopes to secure another third driver role - possibly for the rebadged Caterham team - as well as racing in sportscars.
"There are some opportunities to continue as a Friday driver and obviously I still want to be in F1," Chandhok told autosport.com.
"To get a race seat in F1 is almost impossible for 2012, so I don't think that's going to happen.
"But it's very clear that I must go racing again because standing on the sidelines for another year can't be good for me. That will also help me if there are F1 race opportunities in the future.
"My target is still F1, but the new World Endurance Championship is very interesting. There's only one clash with the F1 calendar, so I can keep my hand in there doing a bunch of Fridays.
"Competing at Le Mans is one of those boxes that you have to tick. I've raced at Monaco, Macau, Spa and Silverstone, and Le Mans is another one on that must-do list."