Chandhok first F1 driver to test Korean track next month

New Delhi: With his Hispania Racing team deciding not to use him for the third time this season, India`s Karun Chandhok is set to become the first Formula One driver to get a taste of the brand-new Yeongam F1 track in South Korea next month.

The 26 year-old Indian, who drove for HRT in the opening 10 Grands Prix of the season before being replaced by Japanese Sakon Yamamoto, is a former Red Bull junior team member and has been drafted in for the demonstration event on September 4-5 as all the Red Bull drivers are busy.Chandhok, who is also sitting out of this weekend`s Belgian Grand Prix, will steer a Red Bull car around the inaugural circuit on September 4. The Korean Grand Prix is due to make its F1 debut on October 24. "I was happy to fill in. It`ll be a real honour to be one of the first people to drive around the new Korean circuit. The layout looks quite good fun on paper and I look forward to driving a winning team`s car there next weekend," Chandhok said.There have been doubts about the readiness of the new Yeongam venue for its inaugural October 24 race, one of the remaining seven rounds this season. The announcement is the first sign that the track will be ready to host an F1 race. PTI