Formula 1: India will be ready, says Vicky Chandhok

Bernie Ecclestone(L) and Vicky Chandhok (R)

Indian Motor Sport Federation [FMSCI] President Mr. Vicky Chandhok sternly declared that India will be ready to host the inaugural F1 Indian Grand Prix this year. He also expressed his views on several issues related with the Indian GP. Subject to a final inspection on September 1, the first-ever Indian Grand Prix will be held on October 30, 2011, at the newly constructed Buddh International Circuit, about 40 kilometres from New Delhi.

2012 Indian Grand Prix on April 22?

Recent reports have suggested that F1 head Bernie Ecclestone has pencilled the Indian Grand Prix in for an April 22 slot for 2012 – a time of stifling summer heat in India. Chandhok expressed his displeasure towards hosting the race in April due to extreme weather conditions. He explained his view by stating,

“I am not happy with April because it’s going to be hot. 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. In Delhi there is no humidity, it’s not that high. You are racing in Malaysia where the humidity is higher,”

Changes to the Buddh International Circuit:

A 3 dimensional image of the Buddh International Circuit

Chandhok added that New Delhi’s debut on the world stage will impress the F1 fans worldwide.

“I have been to every single racetrack in the world. It’s going to be one of the fastest circuits in the world. A 1.2 km straight and three corners that have now been redefined – they are following the new FIA guidelines to encourage overtaking. I think it’s going to be phenomenal. There will be lot of scope of overtaking.”

Postponement of Final Inspection:

On the issue of the postponement of the final inspection, Mr. Vicky Chandhok – father of current Lotus F1 driver Karun – dismissed fears of a delay in its construction and development of related amenities and said that 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.”

Indian F1 fans eagerly await the decision to be made by the inspection team on September 1. But this statement from Mr. Vicky Chandhok wherein he has exuded confidence over the preparations, has prompted many to hope that the homologation of the circuit will be done successfully.

Computer generated image of the Grand Stand and Paddock

Construction nearing finish | Picture dated: july 31

Indian GP: Race information
Total Laps	60
Circuit length	5.14 km (3.19 mi)
Race length	308.4 km (191.6 mi)