Sebastian Vettel may have sealed the drivers’ title in Japan and Red Bull Racing might as well seal the constructor’s championship in the coming weeks thus leaving the last few races of the calendar only for the statisticians. But if you thought the F1 season is as good as over, you are far from being right, especially if you are from India.
Formula 1 comes to India
After years and years of speculation and planning, Formula 1 finally brakes in India for the Airtel Indian Grand Prix – the biggest motor sporting event to be held in the country so far. All the cars and drivers are expected to set their tires rolling in India during the festivities of Diwali and the race is scheduled for the weekend of October 28th to 30th.
The race track, named the Buddh International Circuit, is located in Greater Noida, about 24 kilometers from Delhi, is expected to be one of the most exciting circuits in the world with ample opportunities for overtaking. The 5.1 kilometer circuit, spread over 875 acres, has 16 medium speed corners with cars zooming in and out at an average lap speed of around 211kph. The back straight before after the third corner will allow the mean machines to push up to 318kph, thus, making it amongst the fastest circuits in the world with the average lap time expected to clock around 1 minute and 25 seconds
Although this is the first race to be held in the country, it won’t be the first time for many drivers here in the sub-continent. After Renault performed a street demonstration in 2008, McLaren showcased their car in Lucknow the following year. David Coulthard drove his Red Bull across the Bandra Worli sealink before Lewis Hamilton visited Bangalore as recently as last month.
While liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s Force India will be the country’s representative, Narain Karthikeyan will provide the local flavor when he turns out for the Hispania Racing Team. The youngest double time champion Sebastian Vettel along with former champions Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button will attract the most attention from the fans from the sub-continent while seven time World champion Michael Schumacher will definitely draw the largest cheer when he drives on to the track.
It was every Indian motorsport fan’s dream to watch 20 odd cars assembling at the start line with their engines revving and roaring to go. Come October 30th, when the five red lights go off thus signaling the start of the first ever Indian Grand Prix, the dream would have been lived.
Circuit Information:
Race Date: 30th October
Circuit Name: Buddh International Circuit
Number of Laps: 60
Circuit Length: 5.137 km
Tags: Airtel Indian Grand Prix, Buddh International Circuit, F1, Formula 1, India, Motor Sports, Motorsports
