Chandhok improves position

Indian race driver Karun Chandhok has improved his position to 10th in the overall standings, logging points in Knockhill, Scotland, in the Formula 3 British Racing Championship.

Chandok finished a creditable fifth and sixth in the two races in Knockhill to improve his position by four slots at the end of the fourth event of the season on Sunday.

The youngster, who scored his first points in Croft, England, earlier this month, now has 25 points after eight races to be placed tenth among 22 drivers.

The top six finishers on overall standings are considered as the best in Formula 3 and Chandhok would be looking forward to finish in the top six.

"I am keeping my fingers crossed and will concentrate on improving my position midway through the season to the sixth spot and any further improvement will be a bonus," Chandhok said.

"It is tough at the front but the important point is that I am making progress. To be able to run in front and mix it with the best F3 drivers in the world will do a world of good to my confidence and, hopefully, I should carry this form in the races in Snetterton on May 31."

Meanwhile, film star-turned-driver Ajit Kumar continued his impressive performance in the F3 Scholarship class, maintaining sixth position with 46 points after eight races.

The races started brilliantly for 20-year-old Chandhok and the Chennai-based driver finished fastest overall in the first session and ended the second fastest in the second qualifying event.

After all the excitement of qualifying, the two races went on the expected lines with the pole finishers holding on to the positions. Chandhok had a good start and chasing Andrew

Thomspon hard on the opening lap, he embroiled in a triangular scrap for fourth spot with Irishman Adam Carroll and Clivio Piccione of Monaco. With the order remaining the same for 24 laps, Chandhok eventually finished sixth.

In the second race, the top six got away from the line in synchronised fashion and Chandhok pilled on the pressure on Grassi but the Brazilian kept the door closed on the Indian.

Overall positions: 83-James Rossiter (Brit), 66-Nelson Piquet (Braz), 58-Dirani (Braz), 55-Will Power (Australia), 46-Clivio Piccione (Monaco) and Vizo (Venezula), 44-Davison (Australia), 41-Adam Carroll (Brit), 31-Di Grassi (Braz), 25-Karun Chandhok, 24, Asmer (Spa), 20, Thomson (Brit),14-Parente (Portu), 8-Watts (Brit) and 7-Fauzy (Malay).

Scholarship class: 117-Lewis (Brit), 95-Mawer (Aus), 69-Jelly (Brit), 53-Langley Khan (Brit), 50-Calasan (Fra) and 46-Ajit Kumar(Ind).