And Chandhok makes it eleven!

India’s Karun Chandhok today confirmed that he will be on the Formula One grid for the upcoming season after he signed with F1 newcomers Hispania Racing F1 Team. Chandhok will make his debut at the season opener in Bahrain in less than three weeks time.

The Chennai-born driver said, "This is just an unbelievable feeling! I am absolutely thrilled to be able to fulfill a lifelong dream to break into Formula One. We’ve been working for so many years for this opportunity and now that we’ve finally made it, it feels a bit surreal to be honest. Only when I get to Bahrain, I think it will fully sink in that I am going to be on the same grid as World Champions like Schumacher and Alonso."

"My family and I have had a very stressful time this winter and we would especially like to thank Mr. Sunder Mulchandani, Dr. Colin Kolles (Hispania Racing F1 Team Team Principal) and Mr. Bernie Ecclestone without whom all this would have been a distant dream. My dad especially has been working really hard since August last year to make this happen. With an Indian Grand Prix scheduled for 2011, F1 is quickly becoming one of the most popular sports in India and this is a proud moment not only for me but for my country as well."

"I have been training really hard over the winter to be as fit as possible. I’ve been doing a lot in Chennai, cycling or running at 11am at the peak of the heat. The F1 cars are particularly demanding on the neck because of the higher speeds and G-forces, and I have been doing special exercises concentrating on building up my neck muscles. The first couple of races will be hard I’m sure, but I’m pushing in the gym as much as I can."

"While it is true that we will be at a disadvantage to the other teams with regard to testing time, I have a lot of faith in Dallara who are building the car. I have always enjoyed a good relationship with Mr. Dallara. I remember going to visit him in 2008 before the Monza GP2 race when he said that he believed I could be in F1 soon, and it’s wonderful that we have got here together."

"Colin Kolles is a workaholic who has done a fantastic job to ensure that we will be on the grid at Bahrain and is excited about the challenge that lies ahead. The first few races will be tough without any testing, but at least I have been to Bahrain before so I know the circuit. I have met a lot of the engineers and senior people who all seem very motivated, and I’m looking forward to working with them at the circuit next week."

Team Principal Dr. Colin Kolles added, "We are proud to have Karun as part of our team line-up ahead of our Grand Prix debut in Bahrain. I am delighted that we can count on such a promising young talent as Karun Chandhok. As a front-runner in the GP2 series I am confident Karun will step up to the F1 challenge and contribute to a successful debut season for both him and the team."

With Chandhok joining 2008 iSport’s teammate Bruno Senna at the Spaniard outfit, this makes this season’s Formula One grid made of 50% GP2 graduates, with eleven racers coming from what has now firmly become F1 strongest feeder series.