[h=2]Chandhok secures Le Mans LMP2 seat[/h] Stephen Kilbey / Image by LAT
Ex-F1 driver Karun Chandhok has confirmed to RACER that he will drive in the 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours with British LMP2 team Tockwith Motorsports and drivers Phil Hanson and Nigel Moore in its Ligier JS P217.
As part of the deal, the Indian will also take part in the WEC's 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps next month as part of the preparation. Tockwith is racing in the European Le Mans Series full time in 2017; its trip to Belgium marking its WEC debut.
"I'm really excited to be going back to Le Mans," Chandhok, who last raced at Le Mans back in 2015, told RACER. "If I go, it's something I want to do properly, and I feel with Tockwith I can do that. They came looking for me, and offered me Le Mans and Spa, which is great, it will be a good to get behind the wheel of the new LMP2 cars.
"Spa is a great yardstick, it's a good place to go as it will be good to see how we stack up against the WEC's LMP2 class.
"The Oreca seems to be the favourite car of choice in the FIA WEC, but at Le Mans with the low-downforce package we don't know, it should be a bit of a reset for everyone. So Spa for us will just be a chance to get used to each other."
Chandhok, who has added F1 commentary for British TV to his resume over the past few seasons, also mentioned that he is actively seeking further races in sportscars going forward, though racing at Le Mans each year is a priority.
"The main thing is Le Mans," he said. "I really missed it last year as it's the best race in the world. But after Le Mans, who knows. I want to do more racing, I've had a microphone in my hand too much. I'd love to do more races with them. I want to do as much as I can, but I don't want to do things for the sake of it. Last year I had a few deals on the table for Le Mans in GT and LMP, but I didn't take them as I only want to race if I feel I can get a positive result.
"There's potential with Tockwith, even though they are new to LMP2, and there is more potential further down the line for them to succeed. Maybe we'll do another WEC race towards the end of the year together and then have conversations about next year.
"I know that Phil (Hanson) has real aspirations to carve out a long career in sportscars."
The addition of Tockwith's Ligier to the FIA WEC's LMP2 grid at Spa means that it has grown to 11 entries – with Signatech Alpine's second A470 also making its debut at the race.