Singapore: Formula One continues to break new ground away from its traditional European base and as Asia expands its interest with the addition of the Korean Grand Prix this season, India is next in line to join the fray from 2011.
The series' supremo Bernie Ecclestone has championed India's cause for a number of years and as a man accustomed to getting his own way, the Briton is highly likely to witness the sub-continent's maiden grand prix in October next year.
Organised by industrial conglomerate the Jaypee Group, who signed a 10-year contract to host the race, initial problems over exchange control issues and an unsupportive sports ministry have been resolved and construction for the circuit is well under way. "We fully expect the race to go ahead next October," vice-president of JPSK Sports, a Jaypee Group subsidiary, Mark Hughes told Reuters by telephone from the Delhi-based company's offices.
"The circuit is part of a sports city being constructed 35km outside the Indian capital on a 2,800 acres [1,120-hectare] site with areas set aside for the Formula One track and a 100,000-seater international cricket stadium," Hughes added.
Determination
Hughes is the former operations director of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which has been part of the Formula One calendar since 2004, and believes JSPK Sports' campaign to host a race had been aided by the company's determination of help India succeed.
"[Jaypee Group founder] Jaiprakash Gaur is passionate about sport and he has a dream to develop Indian youngsters with talent and prospects to progress," Hughes added. "The sports hub is part of that dream."
Construction started in November 2009 and initial plans to host a race this season were put on the back burner for a year as the Indian government is focusing its attention on the Commonwealth Games in Delhi from October 3-14. "The circuit is a private venture and has a budget of $350 million [Dh1.284 billion], so without government assistance we fully expect to stay within cost," Hughes said.
"We expect to complete construction by July 2011 and once [Formula One governing body] FIA has given its approval we can finalise training for marshals, track officials and medical staff in time for an October race." Hughes forecast an attendance figure of around 120,000 spectators for race day.
The track itself has been designed by renowned German architect Hermann Tilke, who was responsible for the circuits in Bahrain, Istanbul, Shanghai, Malaysia, Valencia, Abu Dhabi and South Korea.
