> Karun Chandhok gets an F1 test with Red Bull !!

Good news for all true Indian F1 fans.

Indian GP2 race winner Karun Chandhok has been handed his first Formula 1 test with Red Bull Racing at Barcelona next week.

The 23-year-old will drive the team’s RB3 for two days when testing resumes at the Spanish circuit next Tuesday.

Chandhok completed his first season of GP2 last year on the back of winning the Asian Formula Renault championship, with the highlight of his year coming at Spa with victory in the sprint race.

“This really is a dream come true for me," he said.

"Ever since I was four years old I've dreamed of being behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car and this is a day that not just myself, but my family and everyone who has supported me over the years, has thought about for a long time.

“I really have to thank everyone involved at Red Bull Racing for this opportunity; I'm really looking forward to it."

He will be standing in for RBR’s regular tester Sebastien Buemi who is competing in the Macau F3 race.

Team boss Christian Horner says the Red Bull-backed driver deserves his chance.

"Karun has been supported by Red Bull for a couple of years now and his progress in
GP2 this year has been clearly evident, culminating in a win at Spa," said Horner.

"Barcelona presents a good opportunity to put Karun in one of the cars for his first F1 drive."

Chandhok has been linked with a role at the newly renamed Force India team for 2008.

Source: itv-f1

good news for him as well as Indian racers. Where NK (kinda) failed, hope KC makes up

Congrats Chandhok! With age on his side, i think he has the potential to put India into the global F1 map

Yeah, age is a major factor with KC. Nk is just too old Well done KC. You have my backing

kc ROCKS. He was a champ since his childhood

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Chandhok aiming for more RBR tests

Indian driver Karun Chandhok says he is aiming to use his first Formula 1 test with Red Bull next week as a springboard to a more regular agreement for 2008.

The GP2 race winner has been handed the chance to test for RBR at Barcelona while its regular tester Sebastien Buemi is competing at Macau.

Following the end of his rookie GP2 season, he tested for two of the feeder series’ established teams, iSport and Arden – the latter of which is supported by Red Bull.

Chandhok is himself backed by the energy drink firm and says although he wants to move up the GP2 ladder in 2008, hopes to combine racing with RBR testing next year.

“I would like to consolidate my position further with GP2 next year, but what I am looking at is a test driver’s assignment with Red Bull for the next season,” he was quoted as saying by the Indian Express newspaper.

“The two duties will not interfere because there is little clash in dates between the two.

“I will be able to manage both if allowed.”

RBR boss Christian Horner said the 23-year-old had been handed the test opportunity after making good progress during the year, with its high-point coming at Spa when he won the feature race.

“The victory was surely appreciated,” Chandhok said.

“Particularly by [Red Bull owner] Dietrich Mateschitz, Dr Helmut Marko and Christian Horner...and I guess it seems I’ve been merited for that.”

Chandhok has also been linked with a role at the newly renamed Force India team following his countryman Vijay Mallya’s buyout of the outfit.

But despite speculation that an Indian driver will be part of its race and test line up in 2008, Chandhok says he has to prove himself further first.

“Vijay Mallya has always been very supportive of me,” he said.

“Also he has been a family friend, and he follows what I do closely.

“Of course, I will have to prove myself and only then can I expect to be on contention for any race post.”

Source: itv-f1