Indian Grand prix?

[luke]

From Crash.net

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has declared that India will host a Formula One grand prix within the next three-years.

Ecclestone, who was speaking to BBC Sport Online, added that "it's just a case of where" before revealing that the event "would probably end up" in Mumbai, Bombay.

Other possible locations include Hyderabad and Calcutta.


Full story Link

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

Bernie has been wrangling for an Indian GP for a while now, most considered it dead in the ground when the new power came in and decided it wouldn't be worth spending money on. I guess with the arrival of the first Indian F1 driver businesses and government have changed their minds.

[sr230772]

it makes sense for him to look there he can get some nice tobbacoo money there and any where else in the third world poor bernie

[Silk Cut Jaguar]

The tobacco money issue is a moot point considering most of the sponsors are leaving the sport anyway - BAT, West and Benson...

[Kicking-back]

There was a report on this on the BBC Ten O'Clock news last night, including interviews with Karthikeyan and Ecclestone.

Narain is huge in India - features in lots of TV advertising etc etc.

And as Silk Cut Jaguar points out - tobacco is going out of F1 anyway, so by the time an Indian Grand Prix is held that won't be a factor.

[BootsOntheSide]

I'm not convinced that Narain is good enough for F1, but I'd love to be proved wrong. Long-term, my real hope is that some 10 year old kid of Indian ancestry (from my perspective, ideally a British Asian) will see Narain competing in F1, feel inspired to try it himself, have a go and prove to be talented, and reach F1 himself in 2018 or whenever. An Indian GP is a good mvoe to open new markets, but I'd hate to see more of the traditional F1 venues dropped. I think a 20-race season is economically feasible, especially with the limits on testing or possibility of a reduction to a 2-day race weekend, so races in India and China can coexist peacefully with Silverstone/Monza/Spa/Suzuka etc.

[JeremySmith]

IMHO I do not think that this will ever happen.

[Kicking-back]

Why not?

I remember a thread on here in early 2003 of people saying the Bahrain Grand Prix would never happen.

India has a population of near 1 billion people - it's definitely worth getting F1 exposed to that.

[Super Tourer]

Massive growth in India, the 2nd fastest growing economy aside from China.

Economy growth equals a rise in personal wealth, equals a rise in 'consumers' - bound to be a prime destination for the worlds big players to ply their trade.

(IIRC) Many of the car makers already have joint venutures or stand alone production in India.

F1 will fit in well with many brands marketing strategy.

[Dutton]

Oh yes, for sure, I can see F1 going to India (has been clear, to my mind, that it is going to happen at some point for a longtime).

As has been pointed out, there is a rather large market of consumers to use.....in the various ways they get used. There is no particular reason really that it cannot happen.

Whether it is of any real tangible benefit to many average people in India is another matter entirely: but that has nothing to do with likelihood of a GP occuring, or the capabilities of the authorities to provide one.

It all comes to the people at the top having the desire, for whatever reasons they may be, to hold a race. If they want it to happen, then I am sure it will happen.

[StickShift]

An Indian Grand Prix makes much more sense than a Mexican Grand Prix. The country is a fantastic oppurtunity for F1... I just hope they design a decent, different track. Keep Tilke away!

By 2008, I think Formula 1 will have dropped Imola and Malaysia... And added South Africa, India, and Mexico.

[Knowlesy]

I fear Tilke will be guaranteed to design the track, StickShift....

[Raglanparade]

why will malaysia be dropped ? did i miss something ?

[Kicking-back]

I doubt Malaysia will be dropped.

[Raglanparade]

When does Malaysias contract run out ?

I think San Marino and Nurby should be dropped.

[BootsOntheSide]

Malaysia hasn't been a particularly successful event. All too often the grandstands mostly contain Aussies and Japanese who've gone to the event because it's cheap for them to. They really need another marketing push to sustain that one. The Nurburgring can go in my book, and Imola, and I'd like to see a new Eastern European venue in place of the Hungaroring.

[luke]

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

When does Malaysias contract run out ?

I think San Marino and Nurby should be dropped.

Maybe, but the reason why Germany and Italy have two races is because their very successful, and popular.

In an ideal world, especially on the edge of 20 races each country should only have one Grand prix.
However, each year they could aternate between the two.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Malaysia hasn't been a particularly successful event. All too often the grandstands mostly contain Aussies and Japanese who've gone to the event because it's cheap for them to. They really need another marketing push to sustain that one. The Nurburgring can go in my book, and Imola, and I'd like to see a new Eastern European venue in place of the Hungaroring.

Yes, but that's good for Malaysia.

Tourism income is important to that country. And of course its cheap income too. A tourist doesn't hit the welfare system so its a direct profit.

[Raglanparade]

Many tourist hit the welfare system here in Australia, we tend to call them "kiwi's" tho....

[Dixie Flatline]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Malaysia hasn't been a particularly successful event. All too often the grandstands mostly contain Aussies and Japanese who've gone to the event because it's cheap for them to. They really need another marketing push to sustain that one. The Nurburgring can go in my book, and Imola, and I'd like to see a new Eastern European venue in place of the Hungaroring.

I've also heard that, particularly on Friday and Saturday, the government gives away free tickets to students in order to encourage them to fill the stands. I'm not vouching for the authenticity of this, though.

[P.Cummins]

Originally Posted by luke

From Crash.net

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has declared that India will host a Formula One grand prix within the next three-years.

Bernie says a lot of things

[Kicking-back]

When he says things like that, they tend to happen.

[P.Cummins]

True, yes they do. But not always for the better.

[fog_shadow]

Originally Posted by sr230772

it makes sense for him to look there he can get some nice tobbacoo money there and any where else in the third world poor bernie

tobacco sponsorship for sports is not allowed in india. the law has been in place now for a couple of years at least. contrast that with many first world rich countries that still bow to the money that tobacco companies are willing to pay. got to hand it to those 3rd world poor sods. starving and naked and still a sense of dignity.


shadow

[Shoe-maker]

Hopefully the Indian track will have a bit of soul.