India has finally been awarded a Formula One grand prix slot for the 2009 season. Suresh Kalmadi, president of the Indian Olympic Association, said here today that the association had received a letter to this effect from Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of Formula One. |
The IOA will be the promoter and the first event will be held in 2009. The IOA will raise the necessary funds through government or private sources. |
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"Once we move ahead (put all aspects in place), a regular contract would be signed. We are planning to hold the race around New Delhi and we are looking to identify suitable land for a track," Kalmadi added. |
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India's F1 plans have been in the news over the past few years, with Andhra Pradesh and Chandrababu Naidu coming very close to a full deal. |
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Reports earlier had also said that UB chief Vijay Mallya, who sponsors the Toyota F1 team with his flagship brand Kingfisher, was working towards hosting a Monaco-style street F1 event in 2009. Mallya had said that the first event was likely to be an exhibition event, but more serious races would evolve out of that. |
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However, it now seems that F1 supremo Bernie Eccelestone wants to take the world's fastest motorsport series to new heights and India is an important part of that plan. |
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Just about a month ago, Formula One had announced the addition of Singapore to the 2008 calendar with the first of its kind night-time street race. India, it appears, is the next, and now the latest, addition. |
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South Korea, reports say, has also been promised a slot in 2010. India's booming economy and young population makes it an attractive place for Formula One. |
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While a track within the Delhi metropolitan area is next to impossible, the government is looking for suitable land. While F1 tracks range between 4.5 and 6 km in length, which is not much, the actual layout of the track, including spectator facilities, pit garages, hospitality and parking space etc. take up a lot more space. |
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The Sepang circuit in Malaysia, for instance, was constructed on 2,300 acres (although it includes hotels, a golf course and other non-motorsport related facilities). |
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