Chandhok secures HRT drive

Karun Chandhok has secured a deal to race for Hispania Racing in 2010, the new team confirmed on Thursday.

The renamed squad’s new team principal Colin Kolles revealed last week that it was close to agreeing a deal with the 26-year-old Indian, GP2 driver Chandhok credentials having for a long time been touted by Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

And ahead of a launch ceremony for the team’s first car on Thursday afternoon in Murcia, Spain, Kolles confirmed that an agreement had now been finalised meaning Chandhok will team up with former GP2 team-mate Bruno Senna in HRT’s 2010 line-up.

Kolles says he has been impressed with the two-time GP2 race winner’s performances in the feeder series over the past three years and believes it’s a good thing for the sport to have an Indian driver on the grid ahead of the country’s inaugural grand prix in 2011.

"I am very pleased to use the Murcia site to officially unveil our car livery today that reflects the Murcia identity,” Kolles said.

“We also complete the driver's team line up with the Indian Karun Chandhok at the wheel of the car for our first ever season.

“We have been very impressed with Karun's performance in GP2.

“India is a great country.

“It will be great for the sport to have an Indian driver on the grid for the first Indian Grand Prix.”

Although the Spanish squad has yet to mention Senna by name in any of its press releases since Jose Ramon Carabante's takeover of the team last month, the Brazilian –who signed a deal before Christmas to race for the squad under its original Campos guise – is still believed to figure in its 2010 line-up and was included on the official FIA entry list published on Wednesday.

With its driver line-up now seemingly finalised and more secure funding now in place after months of turmoil, Kolles believes the team can finally look forward with optimism to its debut campaign.

“Everything is now in place after an impossible race against time to register the team's name and I truly believe that we have an excellent platform to build on and move forward for a strong 2010 performance," he added.

“Now, we need to work together. We need to learn together and keep developing as a team."