Bernie Wants F1 Indian GP Pushed One Year, Mallya Still Hopes For 2010

Bernie Wants F1 Indian GP Pushed One Year, Mallya Still Hopes For 2010

Bernie Wants F1 Indian GP Pushed One Year, Mallya Still Hopes For 2010


The inaugural Indian grand prix could be delayed by a year after Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone claimed he would be happy to stage it in 2011.

New Delhi had hoped to stage the race in 2010, as agreed with Ecclestone last year, but delays in the construction mean that Indian may have to wait a further 12 months.

Boss Ecclestone says an F1 race cannot be held in India before 2011 as there is no infrastructure.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi announced last year that he had sealed a deal to host a Grand Prix in New Delhi from 2010.

Asked if 2010 was still in the pipeline, Ecclestone said: “It’s all going on as usual, but these things take time.

“Probably 2011 is what I want.”

Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya, the owner of Formula One constructor Force India, is keen to have a home race for his team.

Mallya told a sports magazine that he expects the track to be ready by 2010 but that the final decision rests with Ecclestone.

He said: “From my information, even though I am not building the track, the track will be ready for 2010.

“But as you know the F1 schedule is decided by Bernie and I guess everyone has to accept what Bernie decides.

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