Chandhok to replace Trulli in Germany

Team Lotus have confirmed that Karun Chandhok will take Jarno Trulli’s race-seat for this weekend’s German GP.

Chandhok, who previously raced for the Hispania Racing team before being replaced mid-way through the 2010 season, will line-up for Team Lotus alongside Heikki Kovalainen at the Nurburgring this weekend.

The race, though, looks set to be a one-off for the 27-year-old Indian driver, who is currently contracted to the team as their third and reserve driver.

“Firstly I want to thank Tony Fernandes, Kamarudin Meranun and SM Nasarudin for giving me the chance to race this weekend for Team Lotus,” he said.

“Ever since I first joined the team I have been looking forward to this opportunity and I am determined to do my best to repay their faith in me and help the team progress, this season and for many years to come

“I amapproaching the weekend in a very realistic frame of mind. I will be doing my best to push and to make sure I learn as much as possible all weekend, take each session as it comes and work as closely as I can with the engineers and the whole team to do the best job I can.

“Whatever happens, I am very excited about lining up on the grid on Sunday and I know there will be millions of Indian fans, and Team Lotus fans around the world, who will be behind me and the whole team, so I will do the best I can to give them something to cheer for.”

Meanwhile, Trulli, who is expected to return at next weekend’s Hungarian GP, says he welcomes the opportunity to help develop young talent.

“I’m looking forward to working with Karun this weekend and doing whatever I can to help him get the most out of his opportunity in Germany,” said the Italian.

“It’s great that the team is true to its word of helping develop young talent, particularly from parts of the world where it is even harder to break through into the top rung of motorsport, so I’ll be there to give him guidance and assistance, in and out of the car.”