Narain to drive at Indian GP | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Narain to drive at Indian GP

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Aug 21, 2011 01:18 AM IST

Two of the biggest pieces of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix fell into place Saturday. The tickets for the event officially went on sale and Narain Karthikeyan confirmed his participation for the Hispania Racing Team (HRT).

Two of the biggest pieces of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix fell into place Saturday. The tickets for the event officially went on sale and Narain Karthikeyan confirmed his participation for the Hispania Racing Team (HRT).

HT Image
HT Image

"It was always a dream for me to race in Formula 1 and race in front of my home crowd," said Karthikeyan speaking to reporters at the press conference in Greater Noida. "And now thanks to the Jaypee Group that dream is going to be a reality."

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

India's second F1 driver Karun Chandhok, however, was non-committal about his participation in the Indian GP. "I've always maintained that racing in the German GP this year was a one-off," said Chandhok.

"The team (Lotus) seem to be pleased with my performance at the event so we will see what happens."

Sameer Gaur, MD of Jaypee Sports confirmed the availability of tickets through ticketing website bookmyshow.com and that the tickets would also be available through vending outlets by the early part of September.

The Buddh International Circuit itself is due to be inspected by a technical delegate from F1's governing body, the FIA, on September 1. Gaur said that the track would be completed and opened to the media sometime in the third week of September.

Gaur dismissed suggestions that the event would be disrupted by protests from local farmers demanding greater compensation for the land sold to Jaypee for construction of the track.

"The sale of the land was finalised and completed when we acquired the land back in 2007," Gaur said. "I'm sure that we won't have any trouble with the running of the event."

Neither Karthikeyan or Chandhok were too concerned about the possibility of next year's GP being shifted to April.

"As racing drivers we go wherever the teams go," said Chandhok. "We're not too concerned about the heat as we race in Malaysia which is very hot and humid, but there are to be elections in Uttar Pradesh in May so that is a bit of a concern."

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On