Formula 1’s finally made it to India, and amidst the buzz of activity at the pitlane and paddock runs a palpable air of excitement and anticipation. You see, the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) is no ordinary circuit. It might not be a historic or, for that matter, exceptionally scenic, race track. But it is unique, exciting and quite unlike many other tracks on the F1 calendar. The circuit throws up its own set of challenges to the race car driver, and the grid is genuinely enthusiastic about the prospect of racing here.
Now that drivers have had their first taste of the circuit, it is their reaction to the track itself and the racing thrill it provides that is the talk of the paddock. And, most of it happens to be positive. “The track is just awesome and really good fun to drive,” says Marussia Virgin Racing’s Timo Glock. And he’s not the only one who feels this way.
2011 World Champion Sebastian Vettel has declared the track seems fun. The Red Bull Racing driver is confident the race on Sunday will be good. “It’s a good circuit for overtaking,” he says, “with long straights and wide entries”. And, that’s one of the most important factors for the audience in the grandstands, as well as the viewing audience at home. After all, what is Formula 1 without its fair share of slipstreaming and overtaking, with a few spins thrown in, too?
But, who are the favourites to win the first ever Indian GP? “The usual suspects,” says Team Lotus test and reserve driver, Karun Chandhok. “McLaren and Red Bull are likely to do well here,” Karun says, while also stating that Ferrari’s performance in practice, especially after they’ve brought in a redesigned front wing, is something to be noted. But he’s also quick to point out the fact that Red Bull Racing has a history of playing their cards very close, and an actual estimate of their pace can only be made once the final practice session is done with on Saturday morning.
And what does all this mean for the fans who are turning up in hordes (83,000 tickets sold was the official count three days ago) to witness history being made in India? Well, for the many Ferrari fans in the country, the Scuderia’s showing in practice could be a good sign and double world champion Fernando Alonso will have his fair share of supporters in the crowd. So will reigning champion, and Red Bull driver, Sebastian Vettel. And, as Lewis Hamilton’s previous visits to the country have proved, the McLaren driver will have plenty of fans showing up too. But, in India, if there’s a name bigger than Formula 1 itself, it is Michael Schumacher. And though he might not be piloting the scarlet Ferrari that won him five of his seven championships, there is tremendous support for the Mercedes GP driver.
So, a high octane start for the Indian GP? It sure looks like it!