The Indian Grand Prix has always had a heavy backing from people like Bernie Ecclestone and Vijay Mallya. The sports ministry had tried to play spoilsport last year by refusing to recognise formula one as a sport and granting tax relief with respect to equipment imported for the same. The huge influx of tourists for the event though is expected to change things. The race organisers peg the turnout for the race at more than 1 lakh spectators, most of them from outside the country. Such a huge influx of foreign tourists and revenue will surely make the Government recognise the Indian Grand Prix as an event of National Importance.

“We fully expect the race to go ahead next October” Mark Hughes said.

“The circuit is part of a sports city being constructed 35 kilometres outside the Indian capital on a 2,800 acre site with areas set aside for the Formula One track and a 100,000-seater international cricket stadium,” Hughes added.

“Jaypee Group head Jaiprakash Gaur is passionate about sport and he has a dream to develop Indian youngsters with talent and prospects to progress,” Hughes added. “The sports hub is part of that dream.”

“We expect to complete construction by July 2011 and once the FIA has given its approval we can finalise training for marshals, track officials and medical staff in time for an October race.”

Meanwhile as most of you might be aware Karun Chandhok became the second ever Indian to race in the formula one championship. He is racing for the HRT F1 team (Campos meta).

Reacting sharply to Vijay Mallya’s criticism for the 2 drivers,  a lot for people came out in support of both Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandok

First to show his support was Bernie Ecclestone who also sees the commercial side of things in India. While the world battles an economic crisis, India is one of the countries which has put up a braver face. His support came for Karun Chandhok , he said Karun’s place is in formula one :

“The time is getting closer for F1 to be in India, which is something I am really enthusiastic about, and hopefully Karun Chandhok will be an important part of it.  His place is in F1” Bernie Ecclestone said

Tiago Monteiro came in support of his former teammate Narain Karthikeyan, he went on to say that Narain Karthikeyan can even win grand prix given the right car

“F1 is all about the car you are given. Give Narain a race-winning car and he will win races I can guarantee you” Tiago Monteiro said

And now come the people gunning for Mallya :

James Roberts said :

“Narain was abnormally brave in his ability to stay committed in high-speed corners in that Jordan car. Over one lap he may actually be even quicker than Giancarlo Fisichella . Karun is a great talent. I am surprised at what Mallya has said.”

Peter Windsor (according to an Indian newspaper said)

“It’s amusing when people who have made a lot of money come to F1 and make such ridiculous statements. It makes one wonder how they ever made that money! There is absolutely no question that Karun Chandhok has the ability to do well. He is at least as good as Adrian Sutil “

It appears that Mallya might have made the wrong comments at the wrong time !

The Force India formula one team is budding with energy thanks to Vijay Mallya and his fresh input of much needed capital. But most Indians were sad at the fact that Vijay Mallya even though he named the team Force India, didnt get an Indian driver. That might change if Karun is indeed given the testing role for the 2009 season of formula one. Who knows he might be given the racing seat for the 2010 formula one season and we may see an Indian driving an Indian formula one car on a formula one race track in India.

“I would love to give Karun a go as a test driver first,” Vijay Mallya was quoted

“The race seat I think he is a year away from.

“I need to see him winning GP2 consistently, not an odd one here and there.

“He has it in him to do it and when he does it, sure I would love to have an Indian driver in the car if I could.

“But at the end of the day, on the one hand I cannot be encouraging the team’s performance and then doing something that might compromise the result.

“I don’t believe that Karun is there yet. I’m not saying he won’t get there. I am hoping he will.”

Karun Chandhok wins best driving style award

In more news , Indian driver Karun Chandhok also won the best driving style award at a glittering ceremony at Club Monza. Karun had had a fantastic season with iSport.

“Overall, it’s been a positive season. I am very pleased with the progress I have made this year,”  Karun Chandhok said.

“Winning my second GP2 race was a big highlight, and having been a regular front runner this year has put me in a good position in the que of drivers trying to break into Formula 1,”

“To win the award for the ‘best driving style’ is a fantastic way to end the season, and one I feel really proud of. It was the only award that was voted for by the fans of the championship on the GP2 website which makes it more special.”

“That’s the first time I have scored points on a Sunday this year – and there couldn’t have been a better way to do it , I didn’t get a great start. The team fitted a new clutch overnight and I just didn’t manage to find the sweet spot. I got far too much wheel spin off the line, but I wasn’t too worried because I saw yesterday that Lucas di Grassi wears his tyres harder than we do  he was already starting to get sideways on the second lap. I sold him a nice dummy at the hairpin next time around and that was that.”

Is formula one calling already ?