Reigning GP2 Series champion iSport International has made its first signing for the 2008 season by confirming Karun Chandhok for both the regular summer season and the new GP2 Asia initiative.
The latest Indian to break onto the international scene, Chandhok enjoyed an impressive debut season with Durango in 2007, becoming the first GP2 race winner from his country after fending off Andy Soucek at Spa while scoring regular points through the second half of the season. His performances attracted the attention of iSport, which won both team and drivers' titles this year, and strong post-season test outings led to a deal for 2008.
“Ever since the middle of the year, iSport has been the most sought after drive on the grid," Chandhok admitted, "I know they've had nearly every GP2 driver on the grid chasing them for the drive and for them to have taken up the option to run me is a huge confidence boost.
"I enjoyed my time with Durango last year but, when I tested with iSport soon after the last race of the season, right from the first few laps I knew that this was the team I wanted to be with. The guys in the team are real racers at heart. They have been very welcoming and we got along very well right from the first day. I'm really delighted and proud to be sitting here today as an iSport driver.”
Team principal Paul Jackson revealed that there were several reasons for signing Chandhok, not least the ability he showed throughout 2007.
“Karun had an impressive debut season and we initially got talking around the middle of the year about doing the GP2 Asia series," he explained, "He tested with us in
Jerez as part of our winter testing programme to evaluate drivers for the future and we were all pleasantly surprised with how well he went, especially in the race simulation run.
