Fast track to glory

After plans to hold the Grand Prix (GP) at Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Coimbatore, a $400-million circuit for the first Formula One race in India is being readied in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and has been named Buddh International Circuit.

The racing track, part of a sports city, has been designed by Hermann Tilke, a German designer credited with working on various new Formula One circuits, including those in South Korea and Spain. The sports city is being developed by Jaypee Sports International and has facilities for other sports, including cricket, hockey and golf.

The 5.14-km track is expected to be one of the fastest circuits in the world and would encourage overtaking, Vicky Chandhok, president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, told Reuters recently. "I have been to every single racetrack in the world. It's going to be one of the fastest circuits in the world," he said. "1.2km straight and three corners that have now been redefined... I think it's going to be phenomenal."

Dismissing concerns about the track's readiness, he addressed reports that the race could be shifted to the stifling heat of next April. "If we have to go in April we will go. But I really think that the ideal dates for India are when it's cooler. Maybe March or October, November, December."

Why the F1 matters

Timing aside, several questions and concerns are being raised about the feasibility of an F1 race in India. To them, I say: this should have taken place a long time ago. An event such as F1 which is the pinnacle of sport and has the potential to attract visitors from all over the world benefits the economy and provides additional opportunities for employment, sponsorship, and most importantly, improves the image of the country that is host to the most prestigious racing event in the world.

The UAE, Singapore and even South Korea are good examples of countries that have gained from their association with the sport. For example, Yas Island, home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, is now a tourist hot spot. And while the inaugural 2009 race might not have drawn huge crowds, the 2010 event was a sell-out.

A custom-built racing facility can also be used for hosting other racing events and can be leased out to businesses. Most circuits around the world also have racing schools that offer the chance to get behind the wheel of a GP car, as well as courses to hone driving skills. Thus a circuit developed for Formula One has the potential to generate revenues throughout the year.

The move to India means that Formula One also benefits from new markets. Since most of the constructors such as Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault are engine suppliers, the sport is a good way for them to promote their brand. A new venue brings new followers to the sport and is the best way for its promotion.

Imagine the viewership if India's state-owned broadcaster Doordarshan broadcasts the races in the country. Formula One is indeed a huge business. The sport attracts the largest television audience after the Football World Cup, and fans travel around the world to support their teams and drivers.

The way things are going this year, Sebastian Vettel might nail the championship even before the inaugural GP in India. Or maybe not. Racing is the most competitive sport in the world and nobody relents, not the drivers, the mechanics or the fans. It's never over.

Flying the Indian flag

Vijay Mallya's assertion that no Indian driver is worthy of piloting his cars and that the drivers are in teams that cannot compete is unfair. Some of the best drivers in the world such as Fernando, Kimi and Michael started with teams such as Minardi, Sauber and Jordan but were quickly picked up by the top teams purely for their talent.

I have followed Narain Karthikeyan's career for the most part and have seen him excel at many events, including the Formula Asia series in 1996, where he was the only Asian to win the championship.

Formula One is a team sport. A talented driver who gains one thousandth of a second over a competitor is perfect, but to be successful an overall team effort is required. A botched-up pit stop can derail the lead that the best driver in the world has built up during the course of the race (Silverstone 2011 comes to memory).

If the sponsors of the top teams are looking for markets beyond the traditional ones, there are plenty of good drivers who have graduated through the ranks of the top series in Asia, including probably the most competitive ones: the Japanese Formula Nippon and GP2.

The F1 circus arrives in India in 2011. How will a cricket-crazy country react to the most prestigious motor racing event in the world being held in their midst? We can't say, but as an Indian, I can tell you we will be there in full force, supporting an Indian team, cheering for our favourite drivers and hoping to see at least one display of the tricolour on a helmet. Five red lights come on one by one. A second's pause... and then they're off and racing. n

NEED TO KNOW

F1 Basics

Race schedule

A typical Grand Prix weekend consists of free practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, a qualifying session on Saturday and the race on Sunday. A qualifying hour is divided into three sessions of 20, 15 and ten minutes. In the first session, referred to as Q1, the top 15 drivers make it to Q2, and subsequently the top ten from here to Q3. In the final shoot-out the driver with the best timing takes the pole position.

The availability of the tickets will be announced on the circuit developer's website www.jaypeesports.com

Involvement opportunities

If you would like your involvement to be more than that of a spectator, you can also volunteer as an official at a racing event. If you are a UAE resident and want to volunteer here, The Automobile & Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates has a Marshals Club that offers plenty of opportunities to officiate local, regional as well as major racing events like F1, GT and Aussie V8s. Register your interest here: www.atcuaemarshals.ae

FACT SHEET

Buddh International Circuit:

(Courtesy: Jaypee Sports International Limited)

Team profile
Force India F1 Team

INDIAN DRIVER PROFILE: (competing/reserve)

Karun Chandhok (Team Lotus)

Narain Karthikeyan (HRT)