Karun Chandhok is one of only two Indian drivers to compete in Formula 1 and one of the best known broadcasters in the sport today.
Born into a family which was steeped in motor sport history, Karun rose through the ranks of junior formulae racing to become test driver for the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team in 2007/8. He then competed in the Formula 1 World Championship for Hispania Racing Team and Team Lotus in 2010 and 2011.
Current Work:
Today he is an expert analyst for Sky Sports F1, broadcasting to 62 countries. He previously broadcast for Star Sports in Asia, BeIN Sports in Qatar, BBC 5 Live Radio and Channel 4 TV in the UK. His deep insights and superb delivery make him one of the most popular broadcasters in Formula 1. As a result, he can speak about any aspect of this demanding sport, particularly given his wide range of experience from across the industry.
Karun sits on the Board of Motorsport UK, the national governing body of motorsport and one of the key members of the world's governing body, the FIA. He is a member of Motorsport UK's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and also devotes time to working on the development of junior single seater formulae.
In 2013 he became a member of the first ever FIA Driver's Commission and continues to represent the rights and views of drivers from across the world. His work with the FIA has included being a member of the Single Seater Commission and Driver Grading Committee.
Since 2016 Karun has worked closely with the Williams F1 Team's Heritage division, testing and show-casing some of the team's most famous World Championship-winning cars. He continues to compete in historic racing, notably at Goodwood, and his annual Karun's Karting Carnival' event in the UK raises funds for underprivileged children in India.
Previous Experience:
During his career Karun has worked closely with Formula 1 and its then-CEO Bernie Ecclestone to deliver the Indian Grand Prix and also consulted for Nissan, managing the Indian cohort of its famed GT Academy programme. He has also worked closely with manufacturers including Tata and Mahindra.
Born in Chennai, Karun first came to prominence in motor racing when he won the 2000 Indian National Championship in his debut season. The following year he won the Formula Asia Championship before moving into Formula 3, the Asian Renault V6 series and finally GP2 - the final step before Formula 1 - where he again proved to be a race winner.
His two year experience of competing in Formula 1 with HRT and Team Lotus was followed by six years in sports car racing, including racing in the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours event. He also competed in Formula E with Mahindra, giving him a valuable insight into the fast-developing electric series.
Video
Karun Chandhok on his F1 journey | Sky Sports F1 Podcast
In celebration of South Asian Heritage Month, Karun Chandhok joins Matt Baker to reminisce about his inspiring journey into Formula One. From karting around his father’s workshop to driving an F1 car, Karun Chandhok recounts the hard work and determination that earned him a seat in Formula One. Being one of only two Indian drivers to have challenged in the sport, Chandhok discusses the importance of his position and the changes that need to be made to see more South Asians making their way into Formula One.
