Chandok eyes a F1 debut in 2010

Chennai driver Karun Chandok is keen to take the F1 simulator test that Force India owner Vijay Mallya wanted him to take and is even confident of making his debut on the racing circuit next year.

Karun Chandok is keen to test the F1 simulator as pointed out by Vijaya Mallya during a recent interview. Photo : R.Ravindran.

Chennai driver Karun Chandhok is getting ready to try Force India’s driver simulator and is confident of proving his mettle for a Formula One debut next year.

Chandhok was excited after Force India owner Vijay Mallya stated that he would like to provide the Indian an opportunity to prove his F1 mettle on the simulated condition, although Vitantonio Liuzzi would race during remainder of the session.

“It is a great chance for me to start working with the Force India F1 team. I have said all along that my objective is to be in Formula One in 2010,” Chandhok said.

“To be racing in F1 in 2010 would be a dream come true for me. Of course I would love to drive for Force India. I think it will be good for the country and will be really good for Indian motorsport,” Chandhok told espnstar.com.

“I think, a lot of people back home are getting very excited about it, terming it a very big opportunity. But people also need to understand that we are not talking about racing for Force India, we are not talking about testing for Force India,” he added.

After Giancarlo Fisichella joined Ferrari, Force India promoted reserve Italian driver Vitantonio Liuzzi to the race seat, a decision that drew criticism from some quarters.