Formula Renault V6 under belt, Karun eyes GP2 next year

New Delhi, Oct 27 (UNI) Formula one may still be a distant dream but Karun Chandhok, on a high after winning the Asian Formula Renault V6 Series, plans to burn rubbers on the same hallowed F1 tracks next year with his eyes on GP2 Series.

''GP2 is the suport race for all European F1 races and that has always fascinated me. I mean just before the F1 races, you get to drive in the same tracks. After a fruitful season this year, I'm hoping to land there, provided I get the sponsors and the technical team.

''The budget in GP2 is almost double of the World Series and that means you have to have sponsors with deep pockets. But I've done well this year and got noticed too. Hope that translates into sponsorship to fuel my ambition,'' he told mediapersons here today.

''Drivers like Nico Roseberg graduated from GP2 to F1 and did a fantastic job, as did some others. It's the closest you can get to F1 and I'm quite optimistic,'' he added.

Apart from GP2, World Series tops Karun's agenda this year.

''Last year, I did not do too well there for a slew of reasons.

we got sponsorships quite late and so missed out on practice. And once I started getting into the top 10, we ran out of sponsorship.

''But that was a lesson well learnt and winning the Renault V6 series will put me back on track.

''F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone sent an sms to my father, congratulating me. That was something really special coming from the F1 boss. Then I got an invitation from Porsche to join their racing school in Sepoang as an instructor. It feels good that I'm being noticed and that would boost my confidence for the next year,'' he explained.

Armed with a two-year plan, Karun says, with adequate funding, it's quite feasible to win the World Series in the second ear.

''Realistically speaking, I can finish in the top five next year and my best chanaces would come the following season to win it outright,'' he elaborated.

Karun, who is managed by CSS-Steller, which also managed the England soccer team and tennis star Tim Henman, leaves tomorrow for a two-day practice session in France ahead of the World Series.

''I want to grab everything that comes my way this year. Last year, sponsorship was a huge issue and then the A1 GP drama. I could not sleep properly for three months, wondering what to do next.

''But winning the Renault V6 in China has put me back to where I was. I'm toying with plans for GP2, World Series and Champcar Atlantic Series. I'm lot more positive this time and once I get a few more sponsors, I'll be giving it my best in the new year,'' he added.

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