Indian Grand Prix Faces Uncertainty From 2014

Updated: Tuesday, October 22, 2013, 15:14 [IST]

For the 2014 Formula 1 season Indian Grand Prix will most likely not be on the list of races. The disappointing news is not a rumor but comes straight from F1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone. The main reason behind this seems to be the high local taxes the sport incurs.

This was Ecclestone's comment to Reuters, at the Hungarian Grand Prix, when asked whether India will feature on the 2014 F1 list: "Is India going to happen next year? Probably not," He added, "[Its] very political".

The present scenario
At present there is a surplus of races and teams are against increasing that number beyond 20, while Ecclestone would prefer to have 22. With the possibility of Russian Grand Prix at the Black Sea resort of Sochi, the long anticipated Grand Prix of America and the return of Austria, has left Ecclestone spoilt for choice. Hence the statement from him should not come as a surprise to us.

A ray of hope
Meanwhile, Jaypee Sports International, the promoters of the Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International circuit have an agreement with the Formula One Group to host the race till 2015. But with a clear cut statement coming from Ecclestone himself, we'll have to wait till September at least, when the first 2014 F1 season calendar comes out.

Keeping the flame of hope burning is former Indian F1 driver Karun Chandhok, who in an exclusive interview with NDTV said Ecclestone's comment at the Hungarian GP was certainly not a final word and efforts were still being made to accommodate Indian GP.
"I was on call with Bernie earlier today and what we've come to know that everyone must understand that both sides want an Indian Grand Prix. It's just the finding of the right solution for everybody," Chandhok told NDTV.

The other possibility would be rotation of races, like in Germany, where the German Grand Prix alternates between Hockenheim and the Nurburgring.