City gears up to paint own F1 picture

From lounge bars to the dingiest corners of Palika Bazar — F1 fever has gripped everyone. Shop owners in the city have stocked up F1 merchandise to woo buyers.

From lounge bars to the dingiest corners of Palika Bazar — F1 fever has gripped everyone. “I’ve bought a Ferrari jacket specially for the event. And though it’s not cold yet, I’m going to wear it to extend support to Ferrari,” said Nishant Mullik, who has come from Kolkata to watch the race.

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But for those who have not been able to get tickets to the race, there is still hope. Many café bars and restaurants will be organising special screenings of the event. “We have set up a large screen and will also be offering discounts. We are expecting a packed house on all three days,” said Promod Joshi, General Manager, Blues Café and Bar, CP.

Meanwhile, Delhiites are sparing no efforts into making the F1 championship a huge picture event. Shop owners in the city have stocked up F1 merchandise to woo buyers. “We have T-shirts priced between Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,500. There are Ferrari jackets priced at R5,000. F1 merchandise is selling like hot cakes,” said Bijender Singh Rawat, manager at a sports goods store in Connaught Place.

Yet others, who could not manage to get tickets, have come across simulated versions of the real race — a series of video games that are attracting a large buyer base in video parlours. “Many of my friends have bought the F1-2011 racing series. I too will buy the video game,” said Ishaan Bagga, a student of Delhi University.