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Buddh Circuit gets a thumbs up
“They did everything we wanted them to do within, what, two or three years of reaching the agreement,” continued the Briton. “It took Silverstone 25 years, so I think they’ve done very well.” A lack of clear signage outside the circuit caused some confusion while media centre staff battled an immediate power cut. Television reporters said they had suffered three separate outages in their compound by lunchtime. A small bat, disturbed from its slumbers, flitted around above reporters heads in the press room before finally finding an exit and disappearing into the sunshine. Some buildings remained clearly unfinished, with what was immediately dubbed a ‘stairway to heaven’ leading vertiginously up to a flat roof and a sheer and unprotected drop. The overall appearance of the $450 million facility, which will host India’s first grand prix on Sunday, was nonetheless impressive even if lacking a particularly Indian flavour. “I just walked in and it looks hugely impressive,” retired triple world champion Jackie Stewart told Reuters as he arrived in the paddock. “From just driving in, the scale of it, it’s extraordinary. I think it’s wonderful and this is the new world. And they’ve done that like that,” added the Scot, clicking his fingers. “When we think of the old world, we can’t do that. But it will still take two years to get it right. Just like it will take two years to get the new Silverstone complex right. It’s not anything to do with India or England, it’s to do with just the realities of making everything synchronised and working without any glitches.” Vicky Chandhok, father of Team Lotus reserve driver Karun and head of the Indian Motorsports Federation, was pleased with how things were shaping up. “Let’s be honest, it’s like a new-born child. You’ve got to nurse it along,” he told Reuters in his paddock office. “We’ve all got to accept there are a few shortcomings but at least the will to do it is there. That’s the most important factor. There’s no lack of money or will to do it. It will get done. The promoters are very clear. Whatever it takes, spend it,” he added. Chandhok said the track itself, with smooth asphalt and a long fast straight, was winning plenty of plaudits. “You’ve got some electrical and plumbing issues but the circuit, talk to any driver and I think they are absolutely gobsmacked this morning,” he grinned. “They love the circuit. There’s not a single team principal that hasn’t come up to me and said what a fantastic circuit it is.” The next stage, said Chandhok, would be to stamp some local character on a facility designed by German track architect Hermann Tilke. “I think by next year we need to Indianise the paddock. Right now, this could be anywhere,” he said. “The promoters were very clear yesterday, they said let’s finish this year and then by next year leave it to us, we’ll move our Indian architects in and get this thing done.” — Reuters
Schumacher: Winning is the only taste I like
Greater Noida, October 27 The 42-year-old, who won an incredible 91 races from 261 starts, is yet to get on the podium in his second innings. Three fourth-place finishes in 2010 and another fourth-place finish at this season's Canadian Grand Prix have been his best results. Asked if his aura is diminishing due to the not-so-impressive comeback, he said the results will come with time. "It's not exactly how we have expected when I rejoined. We all had different expectations. To be on podium and win races. That was the target. But we have to understand that it was not possible due to the reasons explained in the past. We have to be patient," he said.
‘Looking forward to meet Sachin’ They are friends but Michael Schumacher does not quite remember when was the last time he and Sachin Tendulkar met each other and the German Formula One legend wants to catch up with the cricketing icon while being here for the Indian Grand Prix. The two grabbed quite a few headlines in 2002 when Schumacher gifted the keys of a Ferrari to Tendulkar after the Indian equalled Sir Donald Bradman's tally of 29 Test centuries. "Even I don't remember when was the last time we met but I am looking forward to meet him," said Schumacher who is in the capital for this Sunday's Indian GP. Tendulkar, an avid F1 fan, has already stated that he would be supporting the Vijay Mallya-owned Force India during the Indian GP. "I am excited about Indian Grand Prix F1 race. I will support the Force India team. I have friends like Michael Schumacher but I will support Force India because that is the Indian team and country comes first," Tendulkar said. Schumacher's teammate Nico Rosberg, meanwhile, has been exploring the city and even took a rickshaw ride while checking out Old Delhi. — PTI
Alonso appeals for a polio-free India New Delhi, October 27 "Polio is a terrible, crippling disease of children which we can and should eradicate from the planet." Hours after landing in India for the country's inaugural Formula One Grand Prix, Alonso spent hours interacting with the children. He also distributed Diwali gifts to the kids in the wards and those undergoing physiotherapy for paralysis in the hospital's Child Development Centre. — PTI
Greater Noida: Fans queueing up to catch the Formula One action at the Buddh International Circuit can look forward to being ferried from the parking area to the venue on 'Green Cabs' -- three-wheelers that run on electricity. The cabs, launched today, are the first of their kind in the country. The cabs have built-in GPS systems, fare meter and a back-up call centre for cabs on demand. "The launch of Green Cabs at F1 is part of business relationship with Buddh International Circuit to provide for a cleaner transportation during the event. Also this is a prelude to what we are giving to our society in terms of zero carbon emission and mode of cleaner transport system at the venue," said Ajay Singh, chairman of Green Wheels Pvt Ltd, a Delhi and Noida-based company. — PTI
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New Delhi, October 27
