Commentary
Formula 1
2014 absence for India 'not good' - Stewart
Sir Jackie Stewart fires a warning to the Indian Grand Prix organisers Jaypee
GMM
Edited: Aug 9, 2013, 6:36 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Aug.9 (GMM) Sitting out next year's Formula One calendar is "not a good message" being sent by organisers of the Indian Grand Prix.
That is the warning of triple world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, following news India will not host a race next year before returning to Formula One in 2015.
Amid the undoubted tax and customs issues, and the pressure on Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone to limit the calendar to 20 races next year, Indian organisers insist missing 2014 is simply "a scheduling matter".
"These kinds of adjustments take place all the time," said a spokesman for organisers Jaypee.
Jackie Stewart
Photo by: Rainier Ehrhardt
He explained that Ecclestone offered India a March date on the 2014 calendar, but with this year's race taking place in October, the two races would have taken place too closely together.
"We were then given the option of holding it in March in subsequent years," said the spokesman.
But Stewart, a veteran figure in the F1 paddock for almost five decades, indicated he thinks the real issue is about tax and customs.
"F1 has been able to handle the issue in every other country we go to -- whether it's Hungary, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia or China," the 74-year-old told the India-Asian News Service.
And Stewart said the situation, culminating in India skipping at least the 2014 schedule, could hurt the country's F1 foray.
"It is certainly not a good message the Indian Grand Prix is sending out to the motor sports world, and is not positive for India's image when questions are raised about it," he said.
Not only that, spectator numbers dropped from 95,000 for the inaugural race in 2011 to just 60,000 last year. And after October's race, 16 months will pass before India hosts the next Grand Prix.
"This year's race is crucial," Stewart agreed, "and if the race in 2015 gets the right promotion, there's no reason why it shouldn't again attract large crowds."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Bianchi not ruling out 2014 Ferrari seat
Next article Grosjean celebrates summer break as new father
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Jackie Stewart
Sir Jackie Stewart explains how improved F1 safety has changed racing
Formula 1
Formula 1
Dutch GP
Sir Jackie Stewart explains how improved F1 safety has changed racing
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
The 25 greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, ranked
Formula 1
Formula 1
The 25 greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, ranked
Latest news
‘I couldn’t disappear’ – Oliver Bearman rues “crazy” penalty for Pierre Gasly clash
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
6 min
‘I couldn’t disappear’ – Oliver Bearman rues “crazy” penalty for Pierre Gasly clash
Joan Mir returns without revealing illness that kept him out for 44 days: "It hasn't been an easy period"
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
39 min
Joan Mir returns without revealing illness that kept him out for 44 days: "It hasn't been an easy period"
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe