Chandhok will reportedly come to Zoran Stefanovic's team with an approximate $6 million sponsorship backing, as reported by Switzerland's Motorsport Aktuell. Although the 26-year old Indian driver signed a valid deal in the GP2 Series for the 2010 season, it seems the agreement stipulates he may leave the team at any time in case an F1 seat is available.
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone had insisted for quite a while that he wants to see Chandhok in the series. While this was impossible as far as Vijay Mallya's Force India F1 Team was concerned, the Indian driver may indeed secure his F1 entry through Stefan GP. Of course, that would only happen if the Serbian team makes it to the 2010 grid after all.
Earlier this year, following the news that Stefan GP has bought into Toyota's former F1 operations – including their base in Cologne, single-seater and technology – it has emerged that Kazuki Nakajima was signed by the team a few days later (as he is backed by the Japanese manufacturer from the early stages of his career).
In case the rumors about Chandhok are true, it means India will have an F1 team (Force India Mercedes), and F1 driver (Karun Chandhok) and an F1 race (the Indian GP is scheduled to debut in 2011) for the first time in the history of the sport. With Formula One aiming to make the best of the Indian market for the future, that could only be great news for Bernie Ecclestone and his Formula One Management (commercial rights owner of the series).
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