Karun's GP2 testing before sepang.

Karun Chandhok was in top form in the final GP2 Series tests at the Paul Ricard circuit last week, topping the times on the opening day and finishing fourth in the second. The 24-year-old from Chennai, who is backed by Red Bull, JK Tyre, Amaron and ICSA Logistics, had suffered a trying time in the previous two test sessions with his new iSport International car, as numerous technical issues had hindered his track time.

This time it was different.

"It was a big relief to have a problem-free couple of test days at last," said Karun. "I always believed that I would be on the pace when we had ironed out these teething problems, and I finally got to prove it. The team and I have really been working hard to fix the problems and it was nice to finally get down to working on setup changes. My engineer Richard Selwin and I worked through a good program which has given us a better understanding of the new car for the main series. Bruno ( Senna, team-mate ) and I have also established a good relationship and this I think is helping us as a team."

Despite tricky weather conditions, due to high winds, Chandhok lapped the Paul Ricard circuit in 1m12.717s on Wednesday. He ended the day nearly a tenth of a second clear of Piquet Sports driver Pastor Maldonado with the current GP2 Asia series leader Romain Grosjean in third. On day two on Thursday, the teams had to change the set-up of their cars overnight in order to run in high-downforce-spec. Again, Chandhok adapted well to the first test with the car carrying these settings, lapping a different, more twisty layout of the track in 1m10.210s, which was less than two-tenths off the pace in fourth place.

Karun added: "These two days of testing have put us in a good position ahead of the season-opener. We got through a great amount of work including some qualifying and race simulations as well as some pitstop practices. I do feel that we have taken a step forward with the new GP2/08 car but at the moment it still looks like there are at least 14 drivers who could potentially win races this year."

The main GP2 Series starts in Barcelona on April 26/27 supporting the Spanish Grand Prix. However, Chandhok's next race is the third round of GP2 Asia in Sepang, supporting the Malaysian Grand Prix on March 22/23. Looking ahead to the weekend, he said "I'm really looking forward to Sepang. It's a great circuit and one that I have really enjoyed racing on in the past. It's nice to finish the European tests well as a bit of a confidence boost ahead of next weekend's race. There are normally quite a few Indians who come over to Sepang for the grand prix and we're going to try and give them something extra to cheer about !"

-credit: karun chandhok

Ferrari failed in Albert Park or Is MCLaren is 2008's winner? An analysis

This is a very big question coming in my mind whether Ferrari failed in Albert completely or marginally. The speed was not even matching to the Renaults.
It was really funny to see both the drivers struggling hard without aids. With massa helping both Coulthard and Webber incidentally both RBR's back to the garage. And then himself went to pit.

The Ferrari engines are heating so much that even ICE MAN cannot cool t down.

The champion himself has so many off track excursions that it was worth watching.
For some time I was wondering what the hell is doing? Then I realised ohh Ferrari is struggling with ECU aids.

It seems McLarens are the 2008's winners. The way both of the drivers performed it was a classic show. Having said that I think we still have BMW as a competitor to McLaren but for how long??

But yes as long as the inexperienced drivers are present it cannot be guaranteed as any of the good drivers e.g. Fischi would thrown out of the track because of some silly driving by some freshers.

Thanks to the help by Nelson send the "GOOD TIMES" car to dust. It was really heart aching to see the Force India F1 car out side the track.

Well it is still a big question to be asked whether Ferrari would be able to race in sych hot weather conditions?

According to reports williams is going for super computers to study the car data for this hot weather conditions. Guies ready for Williams and BMW to give a stiff competition to Ferrari for 2nd and 3rd positions.

The RedBulls are the real surprise. As a team they have developed very much. This is clearly visible from the testing and qualifying reports. The only thing that can save Redbull is some good driving by the freshers and some lady luck to Mark Webber.

Lets see how it goes.

My prediction for Sepang is

1. Mc Laren
2. Ferrari/Renault/RBR
3. Williams/BMW

and rest would be ........

Do post your comments on this.

F1 report on Sepang circuit

Wait for my posting on Sepang for both GP2 and F1. That will include special reflection to GP2 series and Force India f1 team

Till that time enjoy

A1 gp : Narain is 9th in Future Race

Started 20th from the grid, The fastest indian managed to get 2 points for Team India. This is a superb performance having started just the bottom of the grid ahead of Team china. There are some great driving skills also shown by Team Ireland which won the Feature race.

Team GBR and USA also showed some fantastic race at the end.
Overall good performance by Karthikeyan and the team which did some excellent pit stops ro come ahed of some other teams.

Will post videos and photographs later.

Fischi's fligh in 1st corner.

It is very stupid to those drivers who hit fischi from the side. The similar way David was out of the race as well.

Here is a nice link to watch Fisichella's flight

Although as a Force India team fan it is difficult to digest the way the car flown in the air. Well not so GOOD TIMES this in this ride.

Bad luck for Force India f1 in Albert Park circuit

Adrian Sutil (car 20, VJM01/02)


DNF: Hydraulic Lap 9

Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21, VJM01/05)


DNF: Accident Lap1

The Australian Grand Prix ultimately brought a double retirement for the team. The disappointment was all the more bitter after a surprising race that produced only few finishers. Giancarlo Fisichella, starting from 16th on the grid following Timo Glock’s 10-place penalty, was a victim of a first-corner accident involving Glock and Piquet, with the resulting damage ending his Force India debut on the spot.

Adrian Sutil started from the pit lane after his qualifying incident cracked his chassis. The German however avoided Giancarlo’s accident and had graduated to 13th position by lap eight, however a hydraulic pressure problem on the following lap also brought his day to a premature end. The team will now move from Australia to Malaysia for the second race of the year, with high hopes of improvements on this race result.


Adrian Sutil (car 20)

‘A big disappointment, especially when I watched the race afterwards, but it was good while it lasted. In the opening laps I could stay with the guys in front of me and could overtake to get up to 13th position, but then I had a hydraulic pressure problem. I had to go back to the pits, so at that point my race was over. We have to hope for more in Malaysia, but I think we showed an improvement over last year, particularly over the longer runs in practice, so I am confident we can really do better there.’


Giancarlo Fisichella (car 21)

‘I am very disappointed as I lost the race at the first corner because another driver came in like a kamikaze into my car and it was very frustrating, especially considering a race like this where there was a possibility to score lots of points. It was a good opportunity and I am really disappointed. Let’s hope for more in Malaysia.’


Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer

‘A very disappointing first race for Force India and obviously a great opportunity to score points missed, although I am sure a lot of the press releases will also be saying that. Giancarlo was unlucky at the first corner, with someone outside him and with Glock and Piquet not under control coming down on the inside. He just had nowhere to go. With Adrian we had a hydraulic failure, a result of having to rebuild his car from yesterday and not being able to do any installation checks, which was a shame as he was running very competitively and would for sure have had a good result. But overall a positive weekend in terms of car pace and we have to look to get a better result in Malaysia.’


Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and managing director

‘I have been very pleased with this weekend, despite the frustration of going out early in this astonishing race. I was however very encouraged with the pace we showed in the practice sessions. Although qualifying was ultimately disappointing, last year in Australia this team was well off the pace, this year we were up with the midfield.

‘It was a shame we missed a point-scoring opportunity here. Overall it was an encouraging weekend and the positive is that we have another event in just one week’s time where we can try again.’