Chandhok to test for Lotus

Former HRT driver Chandhok was a guest of Lotus during this week's Valencia test, and has made no secret of his desire to secure a role with the squad.

Team boss Tony Fernandes said Chandhok will run both at Jerez and Barcelona before a final decision is made on whether to hire him

"We would like him to be reserve driver but we've got to see whether it all works out, that's the plan," Fernandes told Reuters.

"He is going to get a couple of slots in the testing now in Jerez and Barcelona. And then we'll decide after that."

AUTOSPORT understands that the days Chandhok will run for Lotus have not yet been finalised, but will be agreed early in the coming week.

Fernandes added that technical chief Mike Gascoyne and CEO Riad Asmet were also in favour of bringing Chandhok into the line-up.

"Mike and Riad and everyone else feel he's the right guy to add value to the team," said Fernandes.

Lotus has retained Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen as its race drivers for 2011. Fairuz Fauzy was the team's reserve last year, but Lotus parted company with the Malaysian before Christmas and has since become part of Renault's test roster.