Formula One and India have the makings of a long and happy relationship after an inaugural grand prix that exceeded expectations, according to some of the leading names of the Formula One community.
The reaction from drivers and officials has been extremely positive with McLaren’s Jenson Button of the belief that the Indian Grand Prix could turn into one of biggest events in Formula One.
“There’s pretty good advertising for this place and I think the word is going to get out,” said Button. “Even though it was the first race there was a pretty good crowd. Indians seem to love motor-racing. I think it’ll turn out to be one of the great events on the Formula One calendar.”
Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone, who had voiced some concern before arriving in the country about whether the circuit would be ready, was equally impressed.
“I’m very, very happy with it, and everybody else is as well,” he said. “We’ve nothing to complain about. There are bits and pieces they can do, and I’m sure they’ll get down and have a good look at everything.”
Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso had words of praise for the track.
“It was fantastic,” said Alonso. “It was a very narrow line of normal grip and outside that line there was a lot of dust and low grip but this is a normal feature for new circuits.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2011.
COMMENTS (16)
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@fighter
you are absolutely correct , thats why u use it for donkey race as formula one car is way lagged behind ur donkey cart technology .
@malik
Ur points are just ur state of mind , u need nothing but commonsense to validate such comment.
BTW Indian F1 Race has been successfully completed . And "Allah" helped them to run it successfully. If some one still feel it as un-islamic than ask Allah why he has not put some obstacle on the way.
The article on Indian Grand Prix on ET has come too late. Why so?
Why are Pakistanis so anxious about what happens in India and commenting about how bad it is etc. Let Pakistanis get their house in order. Admittedly things are not normal and cricket home series is to be hosted in the desert of Arabia.
One thing we must accept that India has moved forward in the last decade.Pakistan, while fighting against war on terrorism has lagged behind.India definitely wants to that Pakistan be labelled as a terrorist and failed state & mumbai drama was part of this propeganda.Still it is the civilian government of pakistan who has to take steps to stop all this,not by words but by deeds. Unfortunately,india also doesn't want to be a good friend of Pakistan so is the case with pakistan.Governments of both countries should now seriously think of sitting togather with clear and open mind on issues like kashmir,Water dams, Terrorism etc. This is only going to strengthen both countries.I,as a pakistani,want good relatons with all the countries in the world & especially with India because they are our immediate neighbours & good neighbours are a must for economic prosperity. Let's get beyond all the differences & work togather for a brighter future.
@Paki:
yes i am with you. We will then shift our annual donkey cart race of karachi to one of those F1 tracks.
@ Malik: The reasons why F1 will not be permitted in Pakistan: 1.) Racing is un-Islamic. 2.) All racing drivers are Jews. or at least,most of them. or at least, some of them. 3.) Racers wear such tight dresses and it is haraam. 4.) We don’t like the racing drivers spraying Champagne over strict True Muslims. 5.) Imagine Grid Girls in hijabs !!
Is camel race or C1 allowed in islam? Let's try for that.
@fighter: sour grapes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ya allah,I wish there will be one f1 circuit in every pakistan district by 2020,which is easily achievable with the breakneck pace we are progressing.and that too far better than this Indian BIC.
@fighter:
India attracts one of the highest FDIs without any notable infrastructure? What rubbish!
India has overtaken China as a Car Manufacturing hub. This CANNOT happen without good infrastructure.
More over you cannot generalize. Infrastructure in Gujrat is much better than in Bihar or it is better in Karnataka than in West Bengal. It depends on the area. India being so big you can attract FDI depending on the ability of the Government.
UP is believed to be a , or rather was, state that lagged behind. It goes ahead and hosts a spectacular F1 Grand Prix.
Enough about India. The things that bothers many Pakistan is the sad fact is that if Pakistan hadn't been asked for they could well be proud of an F1 Grand Prix, rather than being labeled and counted among the most failed states in the World.
Its a RAW CIA MOSSAD conspiracy to humiliate Pakistan. Ya Allah Khair
@fighter:
i know it hurts!. like your "fighting" spirit.
@fighter: LOL you pakistani are soo funny
I am sure our Karachi highways would fare better than the Indian GP tracks. I have come across many articles and opinions from neutral sources before, and they all say Indian infrastructure lags decades behind other Asian countries.