Karun Chandhok is present at the Valencia test wearing a Team Lotus jacket, but team principal Tony Fernandes says that the Indian driver is not yet officially confirmed in the reserve driver role.
However it would be logical for the team to have someone on hand with recent F1 racing experience, much as Lotus Renault has engaged Chandhok’s former HRT team mate Bruno Senna.
“Karun’s here as a guest,” said Fernandes. “I’m not someone who’s going to rush into things. Karun is definitely on the list. I want it to be a team effort, I want everyone to feel comfortable. A lot of people get shoved into it, but it’s not my style. ‘Here, take this reserve driver, and do this.’ I want everyone to feel good about it. And I think the reserve driver has go to contribute, he’s got to feel part of the team.
“Today is for him to see what the team’s like. I think he likes us a lot, but he would, because he hasn’t got anything else! Let’s be real. But I want the team also to gel with him. I think he’s a good lad, I think he can add a lot of value to the team. There are a few other guys, we’ve got a GP2 team as well. I really would like the team as well, but I would definitely like Karun involved in some way, shape or form.”
Although the sister Air Asia GP2 team has yet to formally confirm Luiz Razia and Davide Valsecchi, Fernandes admitted that his juniors could do some Fridays mornings – which is what the drivers themselves have told the media.
“We are going to give, depending upon the performance, about four slots, four to six slots for Friday. My whole thing is if they prove themselves… It won’t be any time early, but it’s also a motivational thing. It gives them a buzz to be there, and get in an F1 car etc. That’s something where I’m controlling the process a little bit, to make sure we get the right mix.”
Adam Cooper F1 
Says the man who got an f1 car ready in 5 months..
Seems a well-defined career path for Senna and Chandhok – scrape round at the back of the field in crap car during rookie year, then join a team called Lotus.
I would love to know why the French Lotus need so many test drivers. When do they think they’ll be driving?
Great line there! Your guess is as good as mine on the test driver thing. Overkill to say the least…
Definitely overkill, especially some of the names. Charouz, Fauzy and Tung, really, what are they adding to the team?
Charouz got well and truly shown the way by Grosjean in AutoGP last year, Grosjean dominated the season despite only doing 2/3 of it and Charouz was well behind.
The less said about Tung and Fauzy the better.
Both Grosjean and Senna have F1 experience and some level of success in lower formulae, you can definitely understand why they are in the team. The other 3, well you do have to wonder why they’re there.
Chinese, Malaysian and eastern European – the only explanation can be to appeal to sponsors.
Adam
I’d heard a while back about karun and lotus and he was linked to reserve with 2 race drives (including Indian gp). I just can’t see that happening (the 2 races that is)?
Proton Renault GP have all those drivers because they’re gona wait until one of them gives in and agrees to change his name to Lotus in return for a drive. It’s plan B in case the court case goes the wrong way…