Bernie Ecclestone is confident that New Delhi track will be ready for grand prix
By Simon Strang
Thursday, August 18th 2011, 12:28 GMT
Thursday, August 18th 2011, 12:28 GMT
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is convinced that the new Buddh International Circuit - the venue of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix – will be ready in time for the race on October 30.
FIA delegate Charlie Whiting recently delayed his final inspection until September, but Ecclestone reiterated recent comments made by Indian motor sport chief Vicky Chandhok and Force India team owner Vijay Mallya that preparations are in hand ahead of sport's arrival.
"I have no doubt in my mind that the circuit is going to be one of the nicest we have and that it's going to be complete on time," Ecclestone told reporters. "We are checking everything all the time, on a daily basis.
"We are very, very happy that everything is on time. There are no problems."
Ecclestone added that the event – to be sponsored by Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel – can make an impact on the Indian public's imagination in spite of its obsession for cricket.
"F1 is obviously new to India. We will never catch cricket, I'm quite sure about that, but we have got to try our best to do that. I'm sure eventually we will get very close," he said.
"We have got to remember that India is one of the top-five most important countries in the world so it's extremely important to be in India.
The date of next year's Indian Grand Prix remains uncertain following concerns by Chandhok and Mallya that the proposed April date will mean the race is run in hot temperatures.
"I am not happy with April because it's going to be hot," Chandhok said earlier this month. "But 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 you go to October, November, December."
Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)
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