New Delhi: Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone is confident that India will hold its first Grand Prix next year, and says preparations are well on schedule.
"I can't praise it enough," Ecclestone said on Wednesday, after a day-long visit to the under-construction 5.14-kilometre (3.2 mile) circuit in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi. "Everything was much better than I thought. The track is much better than most”.
The World Motor Sport Council, last month, formally approved India's inclusion on the race calendar for 2011, although it has yet to give a green light to the new track, designed by renowned German architect Herman Tilke.
Ecclestone said India, one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, deserves to be part of the F1 calendar.
"I had heard about India, I thought that is where we should be," the 79-year-old said. "We should have been there before. I am sure F1 will be accepted in India.
"It will expose India to the rest of the world. India can get out of the event whatever it wants."
Ecclestone dismissed concerns about the October 30 race next year after the chaotic build-up to the recent Commonwealth Games in the Indian capital.
"There was so much doubt about the Commonwealth Games because of the silly media reports," he said. "That’s why I am here. I saw the opening ceremony on television and it was better than the ones at the Olympics or the World Cup football."
Unlike the Games, which are under the authority of the government and the Indian Olympic Association, the race circuit is being built by private real estate developers Jaypee Group.
The circuit is part of an ambitious 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) sports complex, being built by the group, which will include an international-standard cricket stadium.
Formula One is keenly followed in India and the sport received a boost when Narain Karthikeyan raced for Jordan in 2005 and Karun Chandhok signed up with Hispania this year.
The country also fields its own team, Force India, owned by Vijay Mallya.
