Formula 1
Ecclestone, Hamilton, urge 'better car' for Chandhok
Bernie Ecclestone has backed Karun Chandhok to return to the Formula One grid next year with a "better car". When the Indian rookie signed up for his debut season with HRT this year, he thanked F1 chief executive Ecclestone for being "a superb ...
GMM
Published: Sep 22, 2010, 5:16 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Bernie Ecclestone has backed Karun Chandhok to return to the Formula One grid next year with a "better car".
When the Indian rookie signed up for his debut season with HRT this year, he thanked F1 chief executive Ecclestone for being "a superb pillar of support to me and my family".
However, it is now expected that Chandhok, 26, will sit out the remainder of the season in deference to the Japanese pay-driver Sakon Yamamoto.
But crucially, one of Chandhok's sponsors is Jaypee Sports, who are bringing Formula One to India next year at the circuit currently under construction 40 kilometres southeast of New Delhi.
Ecclestone in 2010 described India as one of "the most important and powerful players in the world of business, culture and sport".
The Briton is now quoted by the Times of India: "Having an Indian team (Force India) is obviously a big help. An Indian driver will be an even better deal.
"I definitely want to see Karun in a better car next year," said the diminutive 79-year-old.
Ecclestone said of Chandhok, who now travels to the Grands Prix to commentate for British television: "He served his apprenticeship in a car that he could do nothing about.
"He really needs to be in a team where he can show his potential because I think he can be very, very good if he gets the right car," added Ecclestone.
He said he plans to visit the site of next October's inaugural Indian Grand Prix after the forthcoming race in Brazil.
"The rains would've stopped by then (November)," said Ecclestone. "Work has really suffered I heard."
On a PR visit to India last weekend, Lewis Hamilton also backed Chandhok to shine at the wheel of a better car.
"Karun is a very good driver," said the 2008 world champion. "He understands the nuances of the sport very well and if he is able to get a better car, he would be able to make a big difference."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Singapore GP: HRT preview
Next article Renault eyes Raikkonen but also Petrov's sponsors
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Lewis Hamilton
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
More from
Force India
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Otmar Szafnauer reveals failed Kimi Raikkonen bid involving "Angry Birds" founders
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Formula 1
Formula 1
Esteban Ocon explains why he collided with Sergio Perez so often at Force India
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Formula 1
Formula 1
Austrian GP
Former Force India F1 boss Fernley dies aged 70
Latest news
GTA VI 'Vice City' blimp to appear at NASCAR championship weekend
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
1 h
GTA VI 'Vice City' blimp to appear at NASCAR championship weekend
Verstappen Racing struggles to 15th as Porsche takes emotional Portimao pole
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 2 h
Verstappen Racing struggles to 15th as Porsche takes emotional Portimao pole
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
6 h
Franco Colapinto urges fans to stop the abuse: “You’re not helping me or my future”
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
6 h
Gresini: New MotoGP rules won't increase gap between factory and satellite teams
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe