Karun Chandhok returns to Le Mans 24-hours
Nogaro (France), 3 April 2013: Indian racing driver Karun Chandhok confirmed his return to the historic Le Mans 24 hours with LMP2 Team Murphy Prototypes. Last year Chandhok became the first Indian to compete in the Le Mans 24 hours and will join Brendon Hartley and Mark Patterson to race for the Irish team at the marquee event in June this year. Both Chandhok and Hartley have previously worked together as they were test drivers at the Red Bull Racing F1 Team. Chandhok, who is supported by JK Tyre and Tag Heuer, will continue to drive in the FIA GT Series as well for the 2013 season.
Chandhok could not hide his delight at being back at the Le Mans 24 hours and commented, “I am really excited to return to the Le Mans 24 Hours as racing there last year was one of the highlights of my career. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and had a great race to finish second in the privateers class and sixth overall. I’m really glad to be back in a prototype for the biggest endurance race in the world. While I’ve enjoyed my first steps into GT World, racing high downforce cars are what I know and love.”
Murphy Prototypes was leading the Le Mans 24 hours last year before mechanical problems hit the team’s chances. Team owner Greg Murphy said: “We’re looking to win every race that we compete in this year and, having lead Le Mans for five hours last year, we very much feel that’s unfinished business for us. With these three, our line-up is good enough to win. Karun brings an awful lot to the table. He’s a very professional driver with Formula One experience and very quick. So we have a very good blend between the three of them. Brendon is electrically fast over one lap and he’s learned a lot about sportscar racing. He knows when to push and when to hold back and it was important for us to have him as our anchorman.”
Both Chandhok (Team Lotus and HRT) and Hartley (Red Bull Racing, Mercedes F1) have a track record in Formula One and Le Mans, while Patterson has experience racing in endurance around the world.
Chandhok added, “Greg and I were very keen to work together and I’m glad it’s worked out. He is a straight-talking Irishman and seems very motivated to reach the top step of the podium. I know Brendon from our time together on the Red Bull Junior Team. He’s obviously very quick but also a great guy which will make the weekend a lot of fun. The team had a strong run until some reliability issues last year and they’ll give me a great chance to try and become the first Indian to get on the podium at Le Mans. I would once again like to thank JK Tyre and Tag Heuer for their continued support.”
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