Karun Chandhok became the second Indian to get a taste of Formula One power, courtesy, Red Bull Racing, and the 23-year-old said driving alongside David Coulthard in his maiden F1 test was mind blowing. And later, speaking to The Indian Express, he said that the “memories would definitely not be short on this one”. With Red Bull Racing Team principal Christian Horner saying that “he acquitted himself well and contributed significantly,” Chandhok, it seemed, made his mark.Talking from Barcelona, Chandhok spoke about his future plans and his first impressions of the RB3. Excerpts: In terms of targets set by Red Bull how did you fare?•Not bad actually. In fact they were surprised that I was not far off. However, had it not been for repeated software glitches, it could have been better..I guess. The feedback I gave them was the type they were expecting and Red Bull have certainly kept me on their radar as a possible test driver.How different was the drive considering the GP2 experience you carried forward?•With the test adhering to the new regulations to be in implemented next season, there was no difference. In GP2 the cars are run without traction control, so basically it helped me. Moreover, the GP2 car actually feels bigger so psychologically it’s not a big problem to get into a F1 car. The innumerable controls on the steering wheel, and the procedures to follow during the drive was different.Could you single out what amazed you handling an F1 machine?•The power accelerator was a lot quicker and getting used to it took a while. The other major difference came from the aerodynamics, as the downforce and the high speed grip was just astounding.What positives could you draw after the experience?•Look making it to this level itself is big. But yes for a first timer there weren’t any crashes, no hits and no veering off the track.basically no rookie errors. I guess that's good enough to look at as a positive.Your first thoughts when you drove out of the garage? •Everything happened fast.there wasn’t any time to think. But yes looking into the mirrors at Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard was kind of strange. Something that made me realise stop thinking there’s work, lots of work to be done.In the pit, how was ‘Karun’ accepted in the fraternity?•Well my presence no doubt was a first among regulars in F1, but its kind of known that once among them one is part of the fraternity. After all, for everyone out there it was another day at work. Overall it was a healthy, helpful environment.Testing alongside David Coulthard must have been a dream?• Coulthard as teammate, wow! And yes we did share some time together. What swept me off my feet was DC coming to me and saying “any time you need any help don’t hesitate just ask,” which for a rookie like me was a big boost.So what happens next.another test, GP2 or anything else lined up? •We (Red Bull) have another day of testing (Thursday) so I’ll be staying back to see the team. Then back to England where it’s the same old story of finding funds, planning my 2008 GP2 season and importantly land a drive in a top team and win more races.Having had a successful test, is there anything that you would like to bury from the past?• Surely.the flak faced from all quarters, which simply wrote off my career. I am happy I’ve put that behind. From this point on I guess I can only get better. I will continue with GP2 next season And yes, I am open to as many F1 test options that come my way. My target is to be a F1 driver by 2009.
