Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025: Karun Chandhok is a famous racing driver from India. He is one of only two Indians to race in Formula 1. He is also known as a TV presenter and motorsport expert. This is the story of his life and career, written in simple English for easy reading.
Early Life
Karun Chandhok was born on 19 January 1984 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. His father, Vicky Chandhok, is also a famous motorsport figure in India. Karun grew up in a family that loved racing. From a young age, he wanted to become a race car driver.
Karun Chandhok Age, Height, Wiki, Biography, Net Worth, Religion, Girlfriend, Wife, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Karun Chandhok |
| Date of Birth | 19 January 1984 |
| Place of Birth | Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Family | Father: Vicky Chandhok; Spouse: Akshara Kothari (m. 2014); Children: 2 |
| Early Achievements | Indian National Racing Champion (2000), Formula 2000 Asia Champion (2001) |
| Notable Records | Youngest Asian Formula Champion (2001), First Indian in A1 Grand Prix |
| Major Championships Won | Formula Asia V6 by Renault (2006) |
| GP2 Series | Raced 2007–2009, 2 wins, teams: Durango, iSport, Ocean Racing |
| Formula 1 Career | Teams: HRT (2010), Team Lotus (2011); 11 starts, 0 points |
| First F1 Race | 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix |
| Last F1 Race | 2011 German Grand Prix |
| Formula E Career | Mahindra Racing (2014–15), 11 starts, best finish: 17th |
| Le Mans 24 Hours | Raced 2012–2015, 2017; Best finish: 6th (2012) |
| Broadcasting | Sky Sports F1, Channel 4, BBC, Star Sports |
| Motorsport Roles | Board member, Motorsport UK; FIA Driver’s Commission |
| Awards | Motor Sportsman of the Year (twice), Most Promising Asian Driver |
| Other Facts | First Indian certified F1 instructor (2003), Racing instructor, Speaker |
First Steps in Racing
Karun started racing when he was a teenager. In 2000, he won the Indian National Racing Championship. He won seven out of ten races that year. He was only 16 years old. This was a big achievement for such a young driver.
In 2001, Karun became the youngest ever Asian Formula Champion. He won the Formula 2000 Asia championship. He drove for Team India Racing and won eight races in the season. This made him a star in Indian motorsport.
Racing in Europe
After winning in Asia, Karun wanted to race in Europe. In 2002, he moved to the UK. He raced in the British Formula 3 Championship. He finished sixth in the National class in his first year. In 2003, he improved and finished third in the same class. He had eight wins and nineteen podium finishes that year.
In 2004, Karun raced in the main British Formula 3 class. He also raced in the World Series by Nissan for the last two rounds. He was a top-five finisher and showed his talent against strong drivers.
More Achievements
In 2005, Karun raced in the World Series by Renault. He was also the first driver to represent India in the A1 Grand Prix series. In 2006, he won the first Formula Asia V6 by Renault Championship. He won seven races and got nine pole positions from twelve races.
GP2 and Formula 1 Dreams
Karun moved to the GP2 Series in 2007. GP2 is a racing series just below Formula 1. He drove for Durango Corse team. His first win came at the famous Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. He also raced for iSport International in 2008, with Bruno Senna as his teammate.
In 2007 and 2008, Karun got a chance to test for the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team. This was a big step towards his dream of racing in Formula 1.
Formula 1 Career
In 2010, Karun made his Formula 1 debut with the HRT (Hispania Racing Team). He became only the second Indian to race in Formula 1. He started in eleven races that year. His first race was the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2010. He did not score any points, but he finished many races and gained experience.
In 2011, Karun joined Team Lotus as a reserve driver. He raced in one Grand Prix that year, the German Grand Prix. After this, he did not get a full-time seat in Formula 1, but he remained a respected figure in the sport.
Other Racing Series
After Formula 1, Karun raced in other famous series. He competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a very famous endurance race. He raced there from 2012 to 2015 and again in 2017. His best finish was sixth place in 2012.
Karun also raced in Formula E, the electric car racing series. He drove for Mahindra Racing in the 2014–15 season. He started eleven races and finished seventeenth overall.
He also raced in the FIA GT Series and other sports car events, showing his skills in many types of cars.
Life Outside Racing
Karun is not just a racing driver. He is also a TV presenter and motorsport expert. He works for Sky Sports F1, giving expert analysis on Formula 1 races. He has also worked for other TV channels like Star Sports, BBC, and Channel 4.
Karun is a member of the Board of Directors of Motorsport UK. He works to make motorsport better and more fair for everyone. He is also part of the FIA Driver's Commission, helping to guide the future of racing.
Personal Life
Karun Chandhok married Akshara Kothari in 2014. They have two children. He is proud of his Indian roots and often talks about motorsport in India.
Awards and Records
Youngest ever Asian Formula Champion (2001)
Winner of Indian National Racing Championship (2000)
Winner of Formula Asia V6 by Renault Championship (2006)
Two-time Motor Sportsman of the Year Award winner
First Indian to be a certified instructor at a Formula 1 venue (2003)
Karun Chandhok’s Legacy
Karun Chandhok is a hero for many young Indian racing fans. He showed that an Indian can race with the best in the world. He is known for his hard work, skill, and friendly nature. Today, he helps others learn about racing and works to make motorsport better for everyone.
Karun’s journey is a story of dreams, hard work, and never giving up. He started as a young boy in Chennai and became a world-famous racing driver and TV expert. His story inspires many people in India and around the world.
This is the story of Karun Chandhok, written in simple English for everyone to read and enjoy.