Abu Dhabi: One of India's top drivers, Karun Chandhok, said the launch of the India-centric i1 Supercar Series is a great innovation for Indian motorsport.
Speaking to the media after participating in the pre-season test of the Radical SR3 car at the Yas Marina Circuit yesterday, the Hispania Racing and Lotus F1 driver said: "First thing, people need to understand that the philosophy and ethos of this series is completely different to anything else. They are not trying to be F1 or the GP2 series.
"They have gone out of the way to project the image of a city vs city format. The Indian Premier League [cricket] has shown that we all have a certain amount of city loyalty. If you can translate some of that passion to motorsport I think it is a good idea.
Great concept
"I think it is a great concept. For ex-F1 drivers like [Giancarlo] Fisichella and others it gives them a chance to drive competitive racing again. For F1 drivers like [Vitantonio] Liuzzi and myself, it gives us something to do in winter, to keep sharp because it doesn't conflict with F1, Le Mans or any other series. My F1 ambitions stay the same, this does not interfere with any of that.
"For the young boys it is a chance to drive a car which they have never had a chance to drive before, they have a chance to race on circuits and F1 tracks they have never used before and also the opportunity to interact with guys here, whom they would not have had a chance to do so before. For me this is one of the big things for Indian motorsport. It is good."
