Chandhok is one of five fresh drivers on the grid 2010 season and brings India back into the F1 casing, with Narain Karthikeyan having been the country's first representative courtesy of his drive for Jordan in 2005. In spite of being powerless to conceal his delight over signing with Hispania Racing, the 26-year-old remains pragmatic. With Karthikeyan having done a sole season for Eddie Jordan's team - now Force India - half a decade ago, ex GP2 driver Chandhok is excited to be representing his country with Madrid-based Hispania, previously known as Campos Meta. It is just an incredible mood! he told the official F1 website. I am completely excited to be able to fulfill a lifelong dream to break into F1. We've been running for so many years for this chance and now that we've lastly made it; it feels a bit strange, to be honest - I think it will only completely sink in that I am going to be on the same grid as World Champions like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso when I get to Bahrain.
Next a confused start to its F1 journey, José Ramón Carabante's Hispania has been unable to test its car during the off-season. I am under no illusions about what we're in for, Chandhok admitted. At the end of the day, we will be a new team with two rookies (himself and Bruno Senna) and no testing at all, so the first few races will be very hard certainly…the first race will just be like a test session and the first part of the season will be all about getting dependability and mileage. Regardless of the doubts involved, Karun is sure that accepting the drive was the correct choice. I consider that you have to take any chances life throws at you, the Chennai-born man said firmly. Of course everybody wants to drive for a top team but if the opportunity isn't there you have to evaluate the options. Undoubtedly, I would rather be racing for HRT than be a test driver somewhere else under the new test-limiting rules.
