F1 Fanatic

I think it’s total BS, in the words of Bulldog. If he was suspended, we would have known this long ago. They would have no reason to bring Chandhok along with them to races in team gear and play the act; it’s not like Indian merchandise sales were that great.

I think the obligations were simply supplying sponsorship money. HRT are turning out to be a right sleazy bunch, but what did we expect with Kolles at the helm?

I suspect it’s jsut Kolles reationalising the choice of Karthikeyan over Chandhok. Karun wasn’t the fastest driver, but he was certainly popular with the fans, especially after his stints in the commentary box. A lot of people were asking funny questions when Karthikeyan was chosen – he had never been mentioned as a possible candidate for the drive until he announced he had signed on – so I suspect Kolles is trying to explain it away.

Its a shame, but I wonder what the conditions were? I mean his finishing positions / speed was impressive?

He was apparently supposed to pay them $8 million, but the team only ever saw $2 million from him.

I said this somewhere in another post. It’s a double edged sword. HRT want money, sponsors want results, it’s practically impossible to achieve both without huge financial backing. Karun might of had those sponsors and that commitment from them, but the way HRT performed and handled itself in the first half on the season, it would be of no financial gain to have your company associated with his car or team. If Kolles had brought this to the attention of the media earlier in the season, HRT could have been in danger of losing more money, still if he chooses to sue Chandok, Karun might as well counter sue him for killing his career.

I also read somewhere that Chandhok deliberately withheld payments as he realised the team were going nowhere and it was just damaging his career. Might not be true, but I think I read that – can’t find a source though

@sw6569
*sigh* Poor Chandhok, he deserves it!! He will be there some day, I know it!