
‘F1 has a future in India’
There is that glibness and authority in his voice, typical of a man in control. While he speaks over the phone, he appears to handle several other tasks simultaneously with consummate ease.
Hindustan Times
catches up with Bernie Ecclestone, the President and CEO, Formula One Management and Formula One Administration, and gets him talking on his vision for F1 in India and more.
Excerpts:
Tell us about the Formula One track in Delhi. What is the deal like?
It will undoubtedly be great for India. I can’t discuss the deal, because I don’t discuss business with everyone (laughs). I signed the deal with this group simply because they were introduced to me properly (by the people concerned).
There were talks about having a street race in Delhi…
I know that, but I feel it would have been difficult to have a street race in a place like Delhi. In any case, I think a permanent racetrack is a better option.
There are many Asian countries which don’t have a driver in F1 but still have a track. India had Narain (Karthikeyan), and Karun (Chandhok) is just on the threshold. In that light, isn’t it a bit late to have a track in India?
Well…. I know that Indian drivers are doing really well. But I see no problem in having F1 here after many other nations in Asia got before it. I believe everyone has got to make a start somewhere, and I am glad that India is finally having an F1 track.
There have been some changes this season, like the removal of traction control, to give drivers more freedom. Will it undermine the engineers’ role?
No, I don’t think so. The engineers will play a role as long (and as much) as they want to. These changes have been introduced to make the race more interesting. The engineers will continue to make changes here and there... you can’t keep them out!
Won’t the dominance of cricket and the price of F1 tickets make it tough for the sport to find its feet in India?
I think it will have a following. The promoters have told us that F1 has a potential in India, and we are taking their view on this. As for the popularity of cricket, all I would say is that cricket and F1 are two different things. Obviously cricket is huge (in India) and it’ll take time to reduce the gap, but I think F1 has a future here.
There has been talk about scrapping some of the GPs in Europe. But you are expanding in Asia despite having circuits like Sepang that are making losses.
Well… leave alone Formula One, Asia is being looked upon for everything nowadays. It is growing like crazy. Everyone has set his sight on Asia. So it’s no surprise that we too are looking towards it.
Where would the next F1 venue be apart from India?
Korea for sure should be the next and we’re looking at a few other places too.

Chhattisgarh: Allegations cloud alleged suicide of surrendered woman ‘Maoist’
- Dantewada SP rubbished the allegations saying the deceased surrendered in front of the media and her interrogation report and statements of other Maoists showed clearly that she was working as a CNM member.

LPG gets costlier by ₹25, one cylinder to cost ₹794 in Delhi

Covid-19 samples from 8 Maharashtra districts sent for testing of new mutations

MSME sector emerges as growth engine of economy, says RBI Governor

Armies of India, Pakistan agree to ceasefire along LoC from Feb 24 midnight

India, Pakistan agree to ceasefire along LoC at DGMO meet
- The meeting which was held between the Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan also reviewed the current situation across the Line of Control (LoC) and other sectors ‘in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere’, the statement said.

News updates in HT: 229 students test Covid-19 positive in Maharashtra's Washim
- Here are today’s top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.

Covid-19 spike: Mumbai's Oval Maidan to be closed from Feb 26

Fashion forward: Parliament staff get great deals on clothes, accessories

Transport strike in Tamil Nadu today, 80% bus services hit

Chinese infra push across Sikkim, Arunachal border raises a red flag in Delhi
- China has been carrying out rapid military-infra upgrade across the Upper Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh including at least three new bridges, troop sheds and a new 66-kilometre road

Toolkit case: Shantanu Muluk gets interim protection from arrest till March 9

Petrol costs ₹90.93, diesel ₹81.32 in Delhi. Check fuel prices

3 factors behind Covid-19 spike: What Maharashtra state health official says
