Karun Chandhok: "Le Mans is the jewel in the crown".

Former Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok made his debut in endurance racing at Sebring, as the JRM team is competing in the entire FIA World Endurance Championship. He will be the first Indian to take the start of the Le Mans 24 Hours (see article) and can not imagine a World Championship without Le Mans.

Karun Chandhok, nr22 JRM HPD ARX 03a-Honda (LMP1): "You can't have a World Endurance Championship without Le Mans, it would be like the Formula 1 World Championship without Monaco; it’s not possible. Le Mans is the jewel in the crown.  We can be competitive in terms of who we are racing against.  We have no chance against the manufacturer cars, but we are racing against the best of the rest and in that respect against Rebellion, Strakka, Pescarolo, Lotus and Oak I think we stand a good chance.  We were very competitive at Sebring straight out the box but for some reason we went lost a bit at Spa.  But we stayed on for the test on the Monday and we got some good answers as to why we were struggling in the race and we had a good test here last weekend.  For me it was all about doing the 10 laps, getting into the race and learning which way the circuit goes.  The weather is looking like it could play a major part and I'd prefer things to be simple for my first Le Mans but I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

Jeff Carter and Dave Davies

Photo: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS, TUESDAY 12TH JUNE 2012.