Karun Chandhok is likely to soon be confirmed as the Lotus test and reserve driver for the 2011 season.

Chandhok, who drove for HRT last season before losing his drive to Sakon Yamamoto, was pictured wearing a team Lotus jacket alongside the team's driver development official Alex Yoong and posted on Twitter by team boss Tony Fernandes.

The contract appears to have already been signed and Chandhok himself recently hinted that he was close to signing the deal to become the team's reserve and Friday driver.

"Nothing is final until you have a contract in your hands," said Chandhok.

Meanwhile, Heikki Kovalainen took the new Lotus T128 through its paces at Valencia on Wednesday morning.