Indian grand prix could be delayed by a year
Ecclestone is relaxed about the delays to the Indian grand prix
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Saturday, 27, Sep 2008 11:55
The inaugural Indian grand prix could be delayed by a year after Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone claimed he would be happy to stage it in 2011.
New Delhi had hoped to stage the race in 2010, as agreed with Ecclestone last year, but delays in the construction mean that Indian may have to wait a further 12 months.
Ecclestone remains optimistic about the future of the race in India and seems relaxed about the delays.
He told reports at the Singapore grand prix: "It is all going on as usual, these things take time. 2011 is what I want."
The calendar for the 2010 season will soon be formalised but with construction of the Indian track due to get under way next month, the guarantees that it will be ready may not be enough to persuade Ecclestone to include it.
Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya, the owner of Formula One constructor Force India, is keen to have a home race for his team.
Mallya told Autosport magazine that he expects the track to be ready by 2010 but that the final decision rests with Ecclestone.
He said: "From my information, even though I am not building the track, the track will be ready for 2010.
"But as you know the F1 schedule is decided by Bernie and I guess everyone has to accept what Bernie decides.
"If he has decided that there are other races that need to be pursued and there are other races he wants for 2010, then I guess that is it, isn't it."
Ecclestone is believed to also be trying to secure a return to the US for Formula One after the Indianapolis grand prix fell off the calendar, with the possibility of a street race in Las Vegas.