Chandhok to be paid in 2012 ‘for a change’

2012 will be a novel season for Karun Chandhok as the Indian prepares to collect a pay-packet.

After two seasons of paying to race with HRT (2010) and serving as Team Lotus’ reserve driver (2011), the 27-year-old will actually be paid as he contests FIA endurance sports car races with the JRM team this year.

“For a change, I will get money directly from my team,” he confirmed to the Calcutta Telegraph.

“In F1, the money came only from endorsements and not from the team.  So it will be nice to race and get paid for it.”

Chandhok said he decided to look outside of F1 for 2012 when it became clear he would not find a race seat.

“For the first time in my career, there was no catch to any of the negotiations,” he said according to the Hindustan Times.

Chandhok said he is still open to splitting his time in 2012 between his new racing foray and a Friday role in formula one, as only one scheduled date clashes.

“But I’m yet to get into talks with F1 teams,” he is quoted by the Times of India.  “Now that things are decided I can look at F1 testing options too.”

© RIF | GMM