Indian GP2 driver Karun Chandhok is to test for Red Bull Racing when Formula One testing resumes at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya in Spain later this month. Chandhok, 23 years old, from Madras, will be standing in for regular tester Sebastien Buemi, who is competing in the Macau Formula Three race.

This really is a dream come true for me,” said Chandhok. “Ever since I was four years old I’ve dreamed of being behind the wheel of a Formula One car and this is a day that not just myself, but my family and everyone who has supported me over the years, has thought about for a long time. I really have to thank everyone involved at Red Bull Racing for this opportunity; I’m really looking forward to it.

Karun has been supported by Red Bull for a couple of years now and his progress in GP2 this year has been clearly evident, culminating in a win at Spa,” commented team principal Christian Horner. “Barcelona presents a good opportunity to put Karun in one of the cars for his first F1 drive.

Chandhok secured his 2007 GP2 drive after being crowned the 2006 Asian Formula Renault V6 champion, with seven wins and nine pole positions.