Karun Chandhok: “There’s a lot to look forward to”
Karun Chandhok is back in endurance racing after a lengthy break. The charismatic British-based Indian, who has become part of UK television’s Formula One broadcast team alongside Mark Webber over the last year, will race at Spa and Le Mans this season.
Competing in the Tockwith Motorsport Ligier-Gibson, Chandhok will join teammates Nigel Moore and Phil Hanson at Spa next month. Chandhok has previously raced in the ELMS for Murphy Prototypes and he also made his Le Mans debut for JRM in 2012.
“They wanted a driver with a bit of experience and I love Le Mans and have had a good result there, so it all fitted together,” said Chandhok. “Doing the WEC race at Spa next month was a no-brainer as we need to know the level and what is to be expected before we head to Le Mans in June.”
Chandhok believes that the LMP2 class this season is possibly the strongest ever and thinks that the only Ligier in the category will be able to mix it with the ranks of ORECAs this season.
“The ORECA has shown it is very strong but, as we saw in the ELMS race at Silverstone, the Ligier can be a real force,” said Chandhok. “I think we can develop things nicely. Spa will be a crucial weekend for more data gathering and learning where we can aim for. There are a lot of unknowns for Le Mans as no one has run the lower drag kit yet. There is a lot of work to do but also a lot to look forward to.”
The LMP2 class will feature 11 entries at Spa as the second Signatech Alpine of French duo Nelson Panciatici and Pierre Ragues together with Brazilian former GP2 driver André Negrão joins the class ahead of a planned rest-of-the-season campaign.
