Chandhok handed F1 drive with Hispania

(afp/getty images)

Karun Chandhok will this season become the second Indian driver to compete in Formula One.

As expected, Chandhok has been signed by the new Hispania Racing team as it is understood he will provide a considerable amount of much-needed sponsorship funds. The 26-year-old from Chennai follows India's only other F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan, who had one season with Jordan in 2005.

Over the last three years Chandhok has competed in GP2, with an unremarkable record as he has finished 15th, 10th and 18th in the drivers' standings. Despite that, team principal Colin Kolles said: "We have been very impressed with Karun's performance in GP2. It will be great for the sport to have an Indian driver on the grid for the first Indian Grand Prix [yet to be officially confirmed]."