Indian GP would boost motorsports: Mallya

With Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone giving a categorical assurance that the Indian Grand Prix is very much on, Force India chairman Vijay Mallya on Wednesday said that the 2011 race would be a huge boost both for motorsports and the outfit he owns.

With Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone giving a categorical assurance that the Indian Grand Prix is very much on, Force India chairman Vijay Mallya on Wednesday said that the 2011 race would be a huge boost both for motorsports and the outfit he owns.

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Reacting to Ecclestone’s interview to PTI in which the F1 chief dismissed speculation about the race following Sports Ministry’s refusal to acknowledge it as a sport, Mallya said the Indian Grand Prix was just what the sport needed.

“The Indian Grand Prix will be a huge boost for both F1 and Force India,” Mallya told PTI over phone.

“Formula One already has great following in India and it would only increase after the 2011 race,” he said.

The liquor baron also took the occasion to make it clear that Giancarlo Fisichella, who earned the team’s first pole position and podium finish in Belgium, was not going to Ferrari, as is being rumoured.

“These are all rumours. We have not been approached by anybody and I would not want to comment on such speculation,” Mallya said.