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F1 Beyond The Grid

Karun Chandhok: dreams, deals + defying the odds

F1 Beyond The Grid

karenellenbevan

News, Leisure, Sports News, Sports, Automotive

4.75.3K Ratings

🗓️ 12 October 2022

⏱️ 62 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Whether he’s behind the wheel of an F1 car or analysing the action for millions on TV, Karun Chandhok is driven by his passion for racing. His love for the sport grew during his childhood in India, and it remains strong despite his frustrating time in F1, where he repeatedly defied the odds. With little money to rely on and few racing opportunities at home, Karun set out on a path which took him to Europe. GP2 wins led to a Red Bull test and a spot on the F1 grid with a brand new team in 2010.  Karun tells Tom Clarkson the astonishing story of his Grand Prix debut and the struggle to even start his first race. He reflects on the deals and behind-the-scenes events at Hispania and Lotus which changed the course of his career. He sums up the experience of driving some of F1’s most legendary cars, including the ‘scary’ one, and the one that he feels is ‘a bit too perfect’. Plus, Karun explains how his love for F1 is fuelling his current work as a broadcaster, racetrack design consultant and grassroots motorsport advocate.


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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Much like you, I've got a lot to complain about, like open toe sandals.

0:04.3

Who thought that was a good idea? Who wants to look at toes? Adults who drink, squash.

0:08.7

Listen, you're a fully grown person.

0:10.7

But I just got my Sky TV and Broadband and I've got no complaints.

0:15.2

Sky is the lowest number of complaints made to off-com for pay TV and fix line broadband.

0:20.1

Divine out more, visit offcom.org.uk.

0:23.2

We're happy because you're happy.

0:25.5

Oh, Angon though, noise eaters, they're annoying.

0:28.0

Sky, believe in better.

0:34.1

Imagine you're a racing driver moments before your first ever-grown pre.

0:39.7

For a brand new team, which, like you, has never competed in Formula One before.

0:46.0

This then was how they'll line up. Sebastian Vettel, pole for Red Bull.

0:50.0

And in the pit lane, we'll be the two Hispanic racing cars Bruno Senna and Karen Chandog.

0:56.5

You only found out you'd be racing 10 days ago.

1:00.4

You've barely driven your car because it was still being put together and fixed during the practice sessions.

1:06.4

You did four laps in qualifying. That's it.

1:09.9

After the predictions and the promises at last, the performance.

1:16.1

Performance? Your hopes aren't high.

1:20.2

You'll be sharing a track with your childhood hero Michael Schumacher and three other world champions.

1:26.4

Fernando Alonzo, JensenButton and Lewis Hamilton.

1:29.9

But your car is 10 seconds a lap slower than those at the front.

1:34.1

Your target is just to make the checkered flag.

...

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