Adapted from GMM
There could be a second Indian on the grid in Delhi next month, Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes admits.
It has already emerged that Narain Karthikeyan will be reunited with his HRT cockpit when India stages its inaugural formula one race.
And his countryman Chandhok, who has already replaced Jarno Trulli this year at the Nurburgring, could be a second Indian racing around the new Buddh circuit.
"I'd like him to. It's up to the team to see," Fernandes is quoted by Reuters.
The Malaysian entrepreneur admitted it will be Jarno Trulli to step aside should Chandhok, Team Lotus' reserve and occasional Friday driver, be given the green light for India.
"Yes, I think Heikki (Kovalainen) is our number one driver, although Jarno's outqualified him here," Tony Fernandes said at Monza.
Heikki Kovalainen's place at Team Lotus should be secured not only next year but also for 2013.
The media statement issued by the Tony Fernandes-led team at Monza made no mention of Kovalainen's status at Team Lotus for next season.
But a Finnish newspaper insists the 29-year-old was not mentioned because "Kovalainen has a contract with the team until 2013".
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport added: "Kovalainen signed a long term contract last year. So on the drivers' side (for 2012), everything stays the same."
There could be a second Indian on the grid in Delhi next month, Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes admits.
It has already emerged that Narain Karthikeyan will be reunited with his HRT cockpit when India stages its inaugural formula one race.
And his countryman Chandhok, who has already replaced Jarno Trulli this year at the Nurburgring, could be a second Indian racing around the new Buddh circuit.
"I'd like him to. It's up to the team to see," Fernandes is quoted by Reuters.
The Malaysian entrepreneur admitted it will be Jarno Trulli to step aside should Chandhok, Team Lotus' reserve and occasional Friday driver, be given the green light for India.
"Yes, I think Heikki (Kovalainen) is our number one driver, although Jarno's outqualified him here," Tony Fernandes said at Monza.
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| Team Lotus in Montreal (Photo: Auto123/René Fagnan) |
Heikki Kovalainen's place at Team Lotus should be secured not only next year but also for 2013.
The media statement issued by the Tony Fernandes-led team at Monza made no mention of Kovalainen's status at Team Lotus for next season.
But a Finnish newspaper insists the 29-year-old was not mentioned because "Kovalainen has a contract with the team until 2013".
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport added: "Kovalainen signed a long term contract last year. So on the drivers' side (for 2012), everything stays the same."