Chandhok, the Indian, at Force India in 2009?

With Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella seemingly forming the two drivers for Force India in 2008, Vijay Mallya, the team owner, confirmed that Indian driver Karun Chandhok could very well be part of their lineup for the 2009 season. If not as a full-time driver, he will be a test driver.

Currently in GP2, Mallya believes that another season in the same discipline with the same level of performance will allow Chandhok to move up to F1: the pinnacle of motorsport.

A new ‘good’ season in GP2 will allow him to access F1 and join a team. We could consider taking him as a full-time race driver, he said to PTI.

« I can assure you, in any case, that his case will be considered at least for the role of test driver. »

Mallya has, for a very long time, urged the young members of his family to become racers and has repeatedly stated that he considers Karoun as his own son.

But rather than quickly entering F1 and taking on a role that may be too significant for him, Chandhok himself believes that he needs another season in GP2 to ensure he is fully prepared to face the challenge of F1.

Something to keep an eye on…