Team Lotus has made the surprise announcement that Jarno Trulli will be replaced by reserve driver Karun Chandhok for this weekend’s German Grand Prix. In a move seemingly supported by the Italian driver, the decision has been made in order to help the Indian gain more Formula 1 racing experience.
The modified line-up of Chandhok alongside Heikki Kovalainen marks Lotus’ first race driver change since the team entered the sport at the start of last season. The Nürburgring outing for Chandhok will be his 11th F1 race and first since Silverstone 2010 with Hispania.
“I am looking forward to my first visit to the German Grand Prix, even more so now we have announced that Karun will be competing in his first full race weekend for Team Lotus,” says Team Principal Tony Fernandes.
“Ever since I first met Karun I have been impressed with his whole demeanour - he is talented, passionate, committed and he brings great energy to the whole team so I am delighted that we are giving him the chance to add even more value to us in the cockpit over a whole race weekend.
“One of the key goals of Team Lotus is to provide a stepladder to the top of world motorsport for talent from all over the world and we have been true to that philosophy since the first days of the team. For Formula 1 to continue to develop globally we need to keep creating new opportunities for talent from around the world to reach the top and Team Lotus will continue to do its best to support that.”
“Firstly I want to thank Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin for giving me the chance to race this weekend for Team Lotus,” Chandhok adds. “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.”
See also:
Lotus: Trulli’s contract to be extended
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