Indian racer Karun Chandhok to race in FIA GT Series

New Delhi: Indian racer Karun Chandhok will now ply his trade in FIA GT Series as he sealed a last-minute deal with Seyffarth Racing. The former Formula One driver will be joined in the car by Jan Seyffarth who has been competing in the German GT series for his family-run team.

The newly reformed FIA GT Series is promoted by the Stephane Ratel Organisation and will include six rounds, with the first race taking place in Nogaro, France on April 1. Chandhok will join Ricardo Zonta as the only two former F1 driver's on the grid, alongside nine-time rally champion Sebastien Loeb.

"I am very happy to have secured a last minute deal to drive in the FIA GT Series. I tested the car last week and it seems fun to drive but we will never know our true pace till the first race. I would like to thank Stephane Ratel (Series Promoter) and Rdiger Seyffarth (Team Principal) for making this happen on such short notice," Chandhok said.

Chandhok also said that he is close to securing a drive for the prestigious Le Mans 24hrs, where he finished in a brilliant 6th position last year. Chandhok raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) last year with JRM and was poised to continue with the team but they had to pull out due to financial reasons.

"I really enjoyed last year with JRM in WEC and finishing 6th at Le Mans was easily one of the highlights of my racing career, along with racing at Monaco and winning the GP2 race in Spa. I am close to signing with an LMP2 team for the Le Mans 24hrs and can't wait to go race again over there. However for now my focus will be on the FIA GT Series. I would like to personally thank JK Tyre and Tag Heuer, who continue to strongly support me," Chandhok said.

Each FIA GT Series race weekend consists of two races over a weekend. The first race is a qualifying race, the results of which determine the starting grid for the second race awarding full championship points. Each car is required to change tyres and drivers at least once during each race. The points system for the series is sees the top ten finishers in the second race earning points and only the top three finishers in the qualifying race earn points.