Chandhok is still a bit of an unknown quantity in F1 terms

"The BBC TV and radio gave Karun Chandhok more chance to shine than Hispania Racing in 2010.

"He started 10 races and delivered two best finishes of 14th which were very helpful to the team.

"His charisma and ability to bring the car home were the highlights but we don't yet know how fast he is in F1 terms.

"He was replaced firstly by Sakon Yamamoto, who did seven races for Hispania with a best finish of 15th. It's very difficult to know any more than that.

"Christian Klien, who did a couple of races at the end of the year, has been in the wings of F1 as a test driver since losing his Red Bull drive in 2006.

"He is so desperate to drive in F1 that he is grabbing any chance but driving the Hispania in 2010 didn't enhance is reputation or career opportunities.

"The problem for all the backmarkers in the new teams were lack of grip and speed, poor reliability, and constantly having to jump out of the way under blue flags has made it difficult to judge the likes of Klien's current pace."

Name three attributes an F1 driver must have.

Be fast, calm and intelligent.

What is the hardest thing about being an F1 driver?

Hooking up the perfect qualifying lap under pressure.

Formula 1 is not just about the car because…

... it is still a people sport - as Red Bull designer Adrian Newey or Mercedes boss Ross Brawn have proved!

If I was in charge of Formula 1 I would…

... organise more paddocks to be like Monaco so the fans can at least get a look in at what's happening.

If I could drive in any era of Formula 1 it would be…

... the early Nineties - the 1993 Williams would be my dream car with the active suspension and traction control.

How would you like to be remembered as a Formula 1 driver?

I don't really care!

Ayrton Senna or Alain Prost?

Prost. I've been a Prost fan ever since I was a kid. I always admired the professional way he used to go about getting a team and the car set-up and working in the way he wanted, and then appeared to be a complete minimalist behind the wheel.

CHANDHOK STATS & FACTS Team: Hispania Racing Team-mate: Bruno Senna Nationality: Indian Born: 19/1/84, Chennai Grand Prix debut: Bahrain 2010

Spa or Monaco?

Both!! If I had to choose one then, Monaco

If you weren't an F1 driver what would you be?

An F1 commentator probably. I was a commentator for Star Sports in Asia last year and would have been doing that again this year if I wasn't driving!

Who is your best friend among the drivers?

Bruno Senna

Which F1 driver tells the worst jokes?

I've no idea.

Describe yourself in a few words.

Workaholic, committed, professional.

Do you excel at any other sports?

Not really!

Who is the greatest sportsman of all time?

Either Lance Armstrong or Roger Federer

What car (s) other than an F1 car do you drive?

Hmm... A VW Passat - not very exciting.

What is your favourite song and what does it remind you of?

'It's My Life' by Bon Jovi. Just a great song.

What's the last book that you read?

'Driven to Distraction' by Jeremy Clarkson.

Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?

A place called Kodi in the hills in South India where we have a home.

What would be your perfect day off?

Hmm... A few hours of cycling in the morning, lunch at one of my local pubs with some friends and watching old F1 season reviews.

Which famous person - dead or alive - would you like to have dinner with and why?

Frank Williams and Ron Dennis - I just think they would have great stories of my heroes to tell.

Tell us something about yourself that most F1 fans might not know?

I used to be a vegetarian until March 2008 - 24 years and 3 months until my trainer and Bruno pushed me over the edge!

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