SPORTS

Force’s India connect

Force India pitch themselves as an Indian team. While that is a smart marketing move, not to discount the fact that they are owned by Indian business tycoon Vijay Mallya and the team also holds an Indian licencse, but they are based out of the Silverstone circuit in the UK. The team rarely have anything to do with the Indian Grand Prix and it is only when the hoopla begins that they come into the picture as the ‘Home Team. But still, they will be cheered for and it will be down to Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg to make the most of what should be a very favourable crowd and circuit.

Another Indian connection will be, of course, Narain Karthikeyan. The ‘fastest Indian on the planet’ has had a slow and painful season, though he has been still better off compared to teammate Pedro de la Rosa. The Indian driver and his HRT car have had a tough time even qualifying for the race at many occasions. The very first race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, saw both him and de la Rosa being forced to miss out on the race for not making a quick enough time.

He has improved over the course of the season and will be keen on putting up a good show in front of the home crowds.

Last year, Pirelli's conservative choice of hard and soft compound tyres didn't help racing as it meant race strategy was pretty much a foregone conclusion after Friday practice. The cars were on the same type of tyres, experiencing the same levels of degradation at the same time. The result was that the chasing car always struggled to gain a grip advantage over its competitor, and that had been key to the exciting racing all year. This year, strategies, hopefully, will make the mix a lot more exciting.

With 95,000 fans turning out on race day last year, the follow up act better be good this time. The organisers know that if they can maintain the same hype in India year-in-year-out, the sport will have a very bright future in the country.

To sum up the feelings people have had for the Indian Grand Prix, a little look back to Sebastian Vettel’s words after winning last year would be just about perfect.

"They (Indians) enjoy life and in the end that's what it is all about. Even the people have so little here I think in a way they are much richer than a lot of people back in Europe so there is a lot we can learn and it is a great race, great event. The circuit is fantastic so all in all it is fantastic so thanks a lot to India and all the people here."

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