Indian GP Driver Changes

[Lucius]

It is being talked about.

As far as I know Karthikeyan will probably be back for the Indian GP.

And Fernandes has said he'd like to see Chandhok replace Trulli (again) for the Indian GP.

Do you think they should be put back into the cars? Take away the fact it might bring more promotion to the new teams and bring a splurge of money, is it right on the drivers being replaced?

[Anna]

Everyone knows my view on this.

I voted no, but thinking about it I don't care about Kathikeyan.

But I think it was wrong to put Chandhok in the car in Germany, I think its wrong that he'll be in there in India and I think its even worse that it is always Trulli. If Karun is so important sign him up not Trulli, I know why Lotus do what they do financially etc, but especially when its a driver like Trulli who you've just RESIGNED I don't agree with putting someone like Karun in his place.

Then again I don't like Chandhok much he annoys me and I don't rate him that highly either. Not that I rate Trulli that highly in his current form but I don't like it at all.

[r1ch91]

Neither of them have done anything to show they deserve a chance, just a silly gimmick ain't it really.

Got an image in my head of them both parked side-by-side at the pit exit before FP1 starts attempting to be the 1st Indian driver to drive at an Indian GP.

[Lucius]

Sept 14, 2011 17:51:22 GMT r1ch91 said:

Neither of them have done anything to show they deserve a chance, just a silly gimmick ain't it really.

Got an image in my head of them both parked side-by-side at the pit exit before FP1 starts attempting to be the 1st Indian driver to drive at an Indian GP.

Now that will be a sight to see .

I voted no as well. I don't see the big thing about Karun just because he's a nice guy isn't enough of a reason to give him a F1 seat. People point to him beating Bruno at Hispania but it was obvious that Bruno was pushing beyond the boundries of the car to prove himself whilst Karun was just rolling up to the finishing line.

[victor]

I do not like this kind of thing. It is not fair on the other drivers, it is also very pointless.

[Pete]

So everyone agrees with no .

I don't see the point. Other then a finacial one, it is just pointless.

[kelli52]

I like Chandhok. I'm quite happy to see him racing. Karthikeyan, no, but Chandhok, yes. Just a shame he has to replace Trulli to get a seat.

[Anna]

Liuzzi or Ricciardo to sit out India GP?


HRT has been contacted for comment

Thursday 29 September 2011 - 09h41, by GMM
A month before the first Indian grand prix, F1’s complete driver lineup for the Delhi race is not yet clear.

At HRT, Narain Karthikeyan’s sponsors have paid to put the Indian back in a race car for the country’s inaugural F1 event, but who his teammate will be is not publicly known.

Karthikeyan began 2011 alongside Vitantonio Liuzzi, whose manager said recently the Italian has a solid contract for every grand prix this season.

In the other car now is Daniel Ricciardo, thanks to a collaboration deal between the struggling Spanish team and the Australian rookie’s backer Red Bull.

The 22-year-old will be in Delhi this weekend to demonstrate a Red Bull F1 car.

He confirmed to the Times of India that he will be returning in late October "for the race".

"I will probably spend some time in the city and have a look around and then get down to business," said Ricciardo.

HRT has been contacted for comment.

At Team Lotus, meanwhile, rumours are still swirling that team regular Jarno Trulli will sit it out so that India’s other F1 driver can race in Delhi.

"Hopefully when the time comes I will be sitting on the grid waiting for the lights to go green," reserve driver Karun Chandhok told the Daily Pioneer on a visit to the Buddh circuit this week.

[Anna]

Liuzzi, not Ricciardo, to sit out India


Ricciardo will pair with Karthikeyan

Saturday 22 October 2011 - 16h15, by GMM
HRT on Saturday announced that it will be Vitantonio Liuzzi who sits out next weekend’s Indian grand prix.

The Spanish team had already said Indian Narain Karthikeyan would return to the grid for his country’s inaugural formula one race.

It was believed that Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who earlier this year replaced Karthikeyan due to a deal struck between HRT and Red Bull, would sit out India.

Liuzzi’s manager said in September that the Italian has a firm contract for every race in 2011, with Ricciardo conceding that "at least I will be driving in the practice session".

But HRT announced on Saturday: "Daniel Ricciardo will pair with the 34-year-old Indian driver for this single event."

Team boss Colin Kolles explained: "I have asked Tonio Liuzzi to step aside for the Indian GP in order to allow driving programmes with Ricciardo and Karthikeyan to be completed.

"I have to thank Tonio for his professional approach and attitude."

[r1ch91]

Karun Chandhok will not race in the Indian Grand Prix
By Pablo Elizalde Tuesday, October 25th 2011, 08:36 GMT

Karun Chandhok will not be racing in the Indian Grand Prix, despite high hopes that he would return to the cockpit for his home race.

Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes had said last month that he would have liked Chandhok to race in the inaugural Indian race alongside Heikki Kovalainen.

But Fernandes said on Tuesday that it is vital for the team to maintain its performance levels in order to secure 10th place in the standings.

With Chandhok not having been able to drive in dry conditions as much as desired, the team has decided Jarno Trulli will keep his racing seat.

Chandhok will be driving in the opening practice session on Friday, though.

"From the team perspective the key goal for us this weekend is to maintain the performance levels we saw in the last two races and while I am sure there will be fans in India who want to see Karun race for us on Sunday we had to make the best decision for the future of the team," said Fernandes in a team preview.

"While all the emotional reasons for him driving were right we were conscious that the limited running he has had in the car this season, largely due to the weather conditions that have hit most of his FP1 sessions, has not given him the best preparation for this race, so we have taken the very difficult decision not to run him in the race this weekend.

"It is absolutely vital that we secure tenth place in 2011 to give us the platform to keep growing and despite the fact that Karun's performance levels have continued to improve every time he has driven for us in 2011, it was considered too much pressure to put on Karun to drive in his first home race, deal with all the attention he would have had and be able to perform at the same level as either of our regular race drivers over the whole weekend.

"For that reason we had to take the pragmatic decision to put our faith in the experience and pace we have in Jarno and Heikki, and are confident they will continue to perform at the level they have over the last two years with us. While this is obviously not the decision Karun wanted us to take he understands that we have to take the long-term view and do so in the best interests of the team.

"He also understands that his relationship with our team is not about just one race, it is about growing together and while this is an historic event, there will be many opportunities to race in India in the future, and he is in the best possible place with us to take advantage of those chances in seasons to come."

[Anna]

The out cry at this news online is laughably pathetic!

The thing is Lotus never said he'd 100% be in the car, who knows what was said behind closed doors, but to us people just WANTED him in the car. That meant that Heikki or Jarno had to be replaced. They've already replaced Jarno then RESIGNED Jarno for next season, so Jarno has all the right to say "I've done a good job I don't want to lose another race" so then they'd have to get rid of Heikki who has done marvels in that car. Whether it was best for Lotus or not for Lotus I don't care, the fans being so thick is what annoys me.

[Amanda]

Brave decision.

I see a lot of journos are horrified and saddened by this move. I went on twitter and it sounded like Karun had been chucked out of a seat for a test driver for nothing more then a PR stunt....

Saw some of the comments on twitter aimed to Heikki and Lotus and its disgusting. For a start it has nothing to do with Heikki. Being a nice person isn't enough to give you a drive at your first GP, Karun will still probably be the first person on the track on Friday but its not enough is it?

So according to some peoples logic thats Fisichella in a Ferrari for Italy next year because he's a nice guy, some random Nascar or Indy driver in a car for the new USA GP because they are nice, Gary Paffett replaces Lewis for being nice at Silverstone?