India's Formula 1 debut is a resounding success

Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (left) and McLaren Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain (center) spray champagne over Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, winner of the Indian first F1 One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. (Reuters Photo)

NEW DELHI: A marvellous racing facility, the famed warmth in hospitality there to be seen, and passionate fans filling up the stands, it all came together perfectly to make India'sFormula One debut a blockbuster.

Initially, there were apprehensions, dogs on the track, a power-cut in the middle of a press conference and a bat flying in the media centre but in the end praise flowed India's way like an uncontrolled stream.

Apprehensions vanished with each passing minute, leashes were put on dogs and every single glitch, although there were not many, was addressed with determination and eventually removed.

The memories of the organisational disaster that the Commonwealth Games was, were drowned in the noise of the Formula One cars racing at over 350kph at the Buddh International Circuit.

The racers left India with memories to cherish and desire to come back, administrators lauded the organisers - Jaypee Group - for creating a super circuit with a challenging racing track.

Without any doubt, India made a grand entry into the world of Formula One, the pinnacle of motorsport.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone confessed that he feared if the race will happen at all as construction work continued till the last minute but took a flight back by saying that "India delivered on all counts".

Sebastian Vettel, a proud winner of the first ever Indian GP, discovered in less than a week's stay here that Indian people are happy and content despite having not much in contrast to Europeans, who have every luxury to enjoy.

"I think it is a very impressive country, very different to what we probably know from Europe, but very inspiring. If you keep you eyes and ears open I think you are able to learn a lot, the way the people handle things.

"They enjoy life and in the end that's what it is all about. If your life comes to an end it is more the thoughts, the emotions, the friends, the friendships you take with you rather than whatever you have in your bank account," the German remarked philosophically after his win.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who was third behind McLaren's Jenson Button, gave India a rating of nine on a scale of 10.

"I think when you host the first race even in a new country, there are things that for sure you learn and you improve. I think next year it will be even better, in terms of how the teams will settle, how the electricity will work, after we had some problems on Thursday, which is very normal for a first time that we use an environment like this one.

"I think the starting point next year will be a lot better than the starting point this year. .. the starting point is already very high, from zero to ten maybe it's nine so it's very good but the ten will be reached very soon," the Spaniard said. — PTI

Tendulkar meets dear friend Schumacher ahead of Indian GP

A self-confessed Formula One fan, Sachin Tendulkar today met seven-time world champion and 'dear friend' Michael Schumacher at the Mercedes team building ahead of this afternoon's inaugural Indian Grand Prix here. Tendulkar, who is expected to flag off India's maiden F1 race, arrived at the newly-constructed Buddh International Circuit with his wife Anjali and daughter Sara.

However, his son Arjun was conspicuous by his absence. The star Indian cricketer was received at the circuit by promoters of the race, Jaypee Sports International's Managing Director Sameer Gaur. Soon after arriving at the circuit, Tendulkar met F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone at the lounge area and had a nearly half-an-hour interaction with him. The duo was later joined by legendary racing driver Jackie Stewart and Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover.

Tendulkar also obliged the waiting photographers along with Ecclestone, Gaur and Grover but refused to make any comments, saying, "I will talk to everyone later."

The cricketing icon then headed straight to the Mercedes team building where he exchanged pleasantries with Mercedes team principal Ross brawn before meeting his long-time friend Schumacher. Tendulkar also introduced his wife and daughter to the German driver and met the other Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg before heading straight to the VIP area.

Apart from Tendulkar, a host of other celebrities from the sporting world and Bollywood are also expected to grace the country's maiden F1 race later this afternoon. Cricketers who are expected to be present during the race include India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, whose love for speed is well known, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, VVS Laxman and England's Kevin Pietersen.

Tennis star Sania Mirza will also grace the occasion. Bollywood will be represented by Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, Hrithik Roshan, and Abhishek Bachchan among others. Some big names from the political world including Arun Jaitley and Kapil Sibal are also expected to be at the circuit. — PTI

Could have been back in F1 last year but waited: Karthikeyan

Karthikeyan says he could have returned to Formula One through Hispania last year itself but deliberately delayed the comeback as the Spanish team was new on the circuit at that time. Karthikeyan, the first Indian Formula One driver, yesterday announced his deal with HRT, ending a six-year wait to get into the elite motorsport competition. "I've been in discussion with HRT for a long time.



Originally we had discussed the possibility of me driving for them in 2010, but I felt that it was not the opportunity I was looking for at that time, as the team was new in F1, and still an unproven one," Karthikeyan said. "At that time, I felt it was best for me to race elsewhere in 2010. For the 2011 season HRT have expanded their own resources, and have established some strong technical partnerships," he added.

Hispania, which in 2010 gave another Indian Karun Chandhok a chance to race for half the season, will participate with an upgraded version of their 2010 chassis, mated to the Cosworth engine and a gearbox sourced from the Williams Formula 1 team. They have also hired designer Geoff Willis, who is hugely experienced in F1. "I'm sure the combination of these things will make for an improved package in 2011.

Although my discussion with HRT and Dr Colin Kolles have been on-going for many months, the deal was signed only very recently, hence the announcement," he said. In its rookie season, Hispania finished 11th out of 12 teams in the constructors' championship being the slowest car on the grid.

Now, it will be a big challenge for Karthikeyan to not only establish himself again in F1 but lift HRT as well. "I've always lived for the big challenges and I've always risen to face them head on. I'm looking forward to this one just the same," he said.

The timing of Karthikeyan's comeback also assumes significance as India will make its debut in 2011 as an F1 venue and the Indian racer acknowledges this. "It will be a double treat for the Indian fans as they will have an Indian driver and an Indian team (Force India) to cheer for," he said.

Karthikeyan had become first F1 driver from India when he raced for Jordan in 2005 and test-drove for Williams in 2006 and 2007. After that, he raced in the A1 Grand Prix series, dubbed as World Cup of motorsport till 2009 and then competed in the American Nascar Truck series and the Superleague Formula in Europe last year. Asked where, other than F1 he enjoyed racing the most, he said,"I enjoy all my racing, but winning in A1GP for national pride was a really special feeling."

He also said he never felt frustrated in the last four-five years when he was not racing in F1. "I never gave up hope on getting back into F1. I've always said that I would drive again in F1, and I'm making good on that promise now. There have been many detractors along the way, but I always believed in myself. I am confident that I have the pace, the fitness and the will to succeed in Formula 1," he said. -PTI