ESPNF1 Staff
August 6, 2011
Karun Chandhok is set to take a starring role as India stages a Grand Prix for the first time this year © Sutton Images
India's motor sports chief Vicky Chandhok insists that the track in New Delhi will be ready for the country's Formula One debut in October with an inspection just weeks away - but is angry at reports that the race may be moved to April in 2012.
Subject to a final inspection on 1 September, the first-ever Indian Grand Prix will be held at the Buddh International Circuit, about 40 kilometres from New Delhi, on October 30.
However, reports have suggested that F1 head honcho Bernie Ecclestone has pencilled it in for an April slot for 2012 - a time of stifling summer heat in India.
"I am not happy with April because it's going to be hot," Chandhok told Reuters.
"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."
Temperaturews usually hover around 40 degrees in New Delhi in April, and Chandhok added: "In Delhi there is no humidity, it's not that high. You are racing in Malaysia where the humidity is higher,"
Although the FIA have postponed the final inspection of the circuit by a month to September 1, Chandhok - father of current HRT F1 driver Karun - dismissed fears of a delay in its construction and said the issue was purely "logistical."
"Purely administrative reasons. Track advisor Charlie Whiting, who has been here three-four times, asked us 'doesn't it make logical sense for me to combine it with Korea?'", Chandhok said.
"He is visiting Korea at the end of this month. On his way back he is flying over Delhi. So he will stop over at Delhi as it will make logical sense for the FIA.
"We said we are fine with it. It's purely procedural and a matter of convenience for the date of inspection. Nothing else."
Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment