F-1 may hit Delhi tracks soon

June 15: The apex sports council in the country has been insisting to bring Formula One racing to India. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), President Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday released a letter, received from chief executive officer of Formula One group Bernie Ecclestone. The letter informing him to ‘confirm’ a letter of intent regarding the organization of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of India, to be staged as a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2009 in Delhi.

However Kalmadi cleared that the letter was just a proposal to IOA to explore the possibilities of holding the mega event in Delhi.

"I am writing to confirm the basis of our common understanding on the way forward to bring to fruition our shared aim that a Formula One Grand Prix of India event be staged as a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship." Ecclestone said in a letter to IOA president Suresh Kalmadi.

He said “it will be the IOA’s responsibility to get the support of the Central Government/Delhi Government and other government agencies to get a circuit constructed at a site which is acceptable to the Formula One Administration Limited (FOA).”

The letter also states that the “IOA will be the promoter of the event and it will be its responsibility to raise the necessary financing, whether through government or private funds (or combination thereof).”

To the surprise of many as IOA is basically concerned with Olympic sports, Kalmadi said the IOA had a detailed discussion with the F1 boss and the parties had come to an agreement, which was endorsed by the executive committee of the IOA earlier in the day.

He seemed confident to stage the first race in India by October 2009 provided nothing goes wrong, and added, "We are determined to make it happen. We have a lot of work to do... it’s a great challenge, but we will ensure that we avail the opportunity to make it a grand show”.

“Now it’s just a matter of time before a memorandum of understanding is signed between Bernie and IOA," said Kalmadi.

However IOA’s Formula One dream was apparently kindled by liquor baron Vijay Mallaya, who had recently announced that given a chance, he would organise an F-1 race on the grand vista of Delhi — the Rajpath.

“It would not only boost tourism in the country if India hosted an F-1 event” Kalmadi said.

Nevertheless the IOA would have to spend a huge amount to do the preparatory work as Ecclestone has made it clear in his letter that “You and I will identify and finalise the selection of land and Tilke Associates will visit and conduct the initial design phase (at the IOA’s cost) in consultation with me and subject to my approval” and that the IOA will promote the first event in 2009.

India is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Youth Games at Pune in 2008, the World Cup hockey in 2009, besides participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the second Afro-Asian Games. The IOA has a hectic schedule and needs to handle its consignments with more of caution with the new idea of bringing F-1 on the streets of India.