Le Man from vroom world

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Racing in the legendary tracks of Le Mans was a dream come true for ace racer Karun Chandhok. “It was the hardest race and so complicated. You need strategy and 24 hours isn’t as long as you think.

Last year was my first attempt at Le Mans and I finished sixth. I’m the first Indian to race on this track and it would be great if I could get a podium in the upcoming season of Le Mans,” he says, on a hopeful note. “Last year’s Le Mans was magical. I never saw what three lakh people looked like at a sporting event. It was like the Eden Gardens + NFL super bowl + 50,000 more people, all put together,” he relates.
Moving away from Formula 1 to endurance racing, Karun says, was quite a challenge. “The first year was quite a shock! When you are racing for F1, it’s just you and your car. But while endurance racing, you share your car with two other drivers. It is a totally different mindset, which requires you to work together. And, you have to share your secrets with your co-drivers because the faster they go, the better your results,” quips this racer, who shuttles between Chennai and London. Living in England, Karun confesses, has sharpened his culinary skills. “Initially, I didn’t know how to make a cup of tea. I could only make scrambled eggs. Recently, I had my friends over and cooked dinner for over 15 people. I made chicken curry, matar paneer, dal and the works,” he says. Ask him about his signature dish, he says, “Chicken curry with spinach — it takes me all of 45 minutes to make it, without the pressure cooker.”
Currently in a relationship, Karun shies away from the question. “I have a girlfriend. She exists. I would not like to talk about it,” he smiles, mysteriously.
Shifting gears, Karun had also forayed into commentary. “I do bits and pieces of commentary, when my dates don’t clash. Even with my columns, I try to give a different perspective. The reality is that we’re in a country where people need to be educated about motor sports. The UK is a more mature market for motor sports and people have detailed knowledge. It is important to be technical,” explains this soft-spoken youngster, who admits that commentary has helped him gain recognition.
“In the UK, where there are world champions in the commentary box, it was a bit of an eye-opener. Here was a guy who has come all the way from India and is a good analyst. It was a pleasant surprise to get positive comments from European nations,” he adds.
So, how is life in the fast lane? Not too glamorous, says Karun, taking us by surprise. “For all those people who think that our lives are glamorous, should read this book called Super Ego by Julia Woods, a friend of mine. Her husband was an F1 driver. It will tell you how un-glam our lives are.
We spend lots of time at hotels in different cities and sometimes you forget where you are. We go to places but see nothing. I’ve been to Venice seven times but have never seen a canal — that gives you an idea of our lives,” he says, in parting.