Formula One news

Force India grants Chandhok simulator trial

The Force India team is due to hand countryman driver Karun Chandhok his first attempt in a Formula One simulator. F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone spoke out over the GP2 driver on Wednesday, claiming that the team should have run the Indian as opposed to reserve driver Vitantonio Liuzzi for the rest of this season.

Chandhok is currently driving for Tiago Monteiro's Ocean Racing Technology outfit in the F1 feeder series although Ecclestone believes that the 25-year-old should be the sport's second Indian driver, after Narain Karthikeyan in 2005.

Mallya chats with compatriot Chandhok at Spa

"The entire issue has got too dramatised," Force India Team Principal Vijay Mallya explained to India's PTI press agency. "I have been discussing the issue with Karun Chandhok and have already agreed to put him in the driver simulator to see how he handles the F1 car.

"At the end of the day, Karun must win some GP2 races and come out good in the F1 simulator in which I put him in - and, if he is competitive in the simulator, I would be the first one to offer him a position at Force India."

more news

• 22 Nov.
  • Photos: 2009 Toyota Motor Sports Festival
  • Vettel surprised by Button team switch
• 21 Nov.
  • Mercedes: No Schumacher drive with us
  • López close to USF1 deal
  • Options open for Bourdais
• 20 Nov.
  • FIA was using new teams, says Lola
  • Rossi and Newey to contest endurance race
  • Wolff: Worth of privateers on the up
  • Equity sale for 'private motives' - Williams
  • USF1 considering 12 drivers
  • Photos: SKUSA karting event, Las Vegas
  • Buemi and Schumacher to kart in Las Vegas
  • Clock ticking for Silverstone
  • Williams sells first shares
  • Official: Bianchi handed Ferrari test
  • My door is open, says Trulli
  • Button: I needed a new challenge
• 19 Nov.
  • Brawn 'very disappointed' with Button outcome
  • Sons release birthday song for Jackie Stewart
  • Räikkönen: No talks with Brawn
  • No early Brawn exit for Button
  • 'Unfinished business' for Räikkönen
  • 2010: How the grid is shaping up
• 18 Nov.
  • Button move a mistake, says Stewart
  • Donington goes into administration
  • Villeneuve working on F1 comeback
  • Whitmarsh: Money not the reason for Button move
  • Hamilton: Button arrival fantastic news
  • Button: Difficult decision to leave Brawn
  • Confirmed: Button partners Hamilton at McLaren
  • Kubica to compete in second rally
  • Webber drives GP3 car in France
  • 'Bianchi to test Ferrari at Jerez'
  • Prize-winning Wilson drives McLaren
  • Brawn: Button-McLaren talk not helpful
  • Sabbatical year for Räikkönen in 2010
  • Drivers preparing for Toyota Motor Sport Festival
• 17 Nov.
  • Di Montezemolo to quit as FOTA Chairman?
  • 'Brawn and Button just sparring' - Ecclestone
  • 'Button agrees terms with McLaren'

Homepage