Formula 1
Concerns still linger over first Indian Grand Prix
Global Motorsport Media
Published: Sep 28, 2011, 10:51 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
A month before the inaugural race date, uncertainty still persists about the readiness of India's new Buddh circuit.
The FIA's World Motor Sport Council said in Singapore that the organisers and Bernie Ecclestone are giving "positive" briefings about the Delhi venue.
Bernie Ecclestone visits Buddh International Circuit
Photo by: Jaypee Sports International
"We're very happy, they're doing a good job," the F1 chief executive told the AP news agency on Saturday.
But some recent photos in the media told a different story, even though Team Lotus reserve driver Karun Chandhok is the most recent visitor to the circuit.
He said on Twitter: "FIA happy, FOM happy and the track will be ready in time".
Now, French commentator Jean-Louis Moncet has entered the fray with some information.
"Regarding India, there are two versions," he wrote in his Auto Plus column. "There are members of some big teams who were sent out there who say that nothing is really ready."
Indeed, during his visit to Bangalore this week, Lewis Hamilton was asked if he has driven the Buddh layout in the McLaren simulator.
"We haven't put it on the simulator as there has been some trouble in getting into the venue," local reports quote the Briton as saying."
Moncet continues: "On the other hand, the specialists of (F1 barrier company) Tecpro assure me that the track itself is ready but as they haven't visited any buildings or seen the infrastructure they could not comment." ""FIA happy, FOM happy and the track will be ready in time|Karun Chandhok|right"
Another potential problem is the recently reported tax issue, despite race organisers Jaypee promising to pay the customs duties on the F1 freight.
Moncet explained: "The Indian government does not want to hear about a tax exemption and still intends to levy a tax on the wages of the drivers and the money that will be shared between the teams.
"As of now, the discussions have failed," he claimed.
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 Doctor says Kubica will return to Formula One
Next article Horner, Ecclestone not writing off Webber
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Lewis Hamilton
‘I’ll try to win, somehow’ – Can Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fight back for F1 Brazilian GP victory?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
11 h
‘I’ll try to win, somehow’ – Can Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fight back for F1 Brazilian GP victory?
F1 Brazilian GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
F1 Brazilian GP: Sunday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
More from
Team Lotus
Emerson Fittipaldi on Jochen Rindt’s death and how he became Team Lotus’ F1 leader
Formula 1
Formula 1
Emerson Fittipaldi on Jochen Rindt’s death and how he became Team Lotus’ F1 leader
On this day: Ayrton Senna beats Nigel Mansell to victory by 0.01s
Formula 1
Formula 1
On this day: Ayrton Senna beats Nigel Mansell to victory by 0.01s
Latest news
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
25 min
Official race results: NASCAR Cup Homestead season finale
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
39 min
Ryan Blaney wins Homestead NASCAR Cup finale as Kyle Larson claims 2026 title
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
Winners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
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