Indian grand prix epitomises changing trends in Formula One

Come Friday, India will step into the glamorous and make-believe world of Formula One as the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Noida becomes the latest venue for one of the most-watched and followed global sporting events with the running of the Indian Grand Prix.

While it would be a proud moment for India when the first of the 24 cars exit the pit-lane and blasts onto the 5.14 Kms track for Friday’s free practice session, all speculation that has plagued the three-year project costing the Jaypee Group some estimated Rs500 crores, will be finally put to rest and the focus will shift to motor racing.

The 17th Grand Prix of the season carries a greater significance than just being the newest venue as it is another strong indicator that Formula One is bidding to don fresh and trendy clothes in keeping with the changing times with a better spread of venues.

A decade ago, 11 of the 17 races were run in Europe, as against only eight of the 20 in 2012. Eight of the 12 non-European venues are located in Asia and Middle-East, two of the most populous regions on the planet.

In 1999 Sepang International Circuit marked a new beginning with its spacious and state-of-the-art facility on the outskirts of Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur.

The track, designed by Hermann Tilke, who also configured the BIC, showed up the rather dated and cramped quarters in Europe that at one time was the epicenter of Formula One racing while setting benchmarks in comfort and convenience.

The BIC, going by the initial reports, is said to be among the best of its kind and the lavish Indian hospitality, including a visit to Taj Mahal, being accorded to the teams, would only make the occasion that much more memorable.

However, the biggest differentiating factor of the BIC is the width of the track and the overtaking opportunities that to an extent absolve Tilke of criticism in the light of Sir Jackie Stewart’s accusation that the German designed “boring tracks” that are mere "carbon copies" of one another.

Add the high-speed configuration to the overtaking opportunities, and it is a recipe for an exciting race. The average speed around the lap is reckoned to be about 235Kmph, but it will not be just about pace.

The gradients, a double-apex corner and the mix of high and low speed turns besides the 1.2Kms long back straight would put premium on downforce set-up and tyre choice.

Thus, there is plenty on offer for the hardcore Formula One fan, but purely from Indian perspective, there is not much to cheer despite the presence of Force India and Narain Karthikeyan.

Vijay Mallya's Force India has only just received a much-needed cash infusion by way of a buy-in by the Sahara Group, but the team otherwise has been struggling. Thus far, only in Singapore did both the Force India cars finish among points, placing them in the middle of the five mid-rung teams.

As for the 34-year old Karthikeyan, it has been a sorry tale of frustration and disappointment on his return to Formula One after a five-season break since becoming the first Indian in this championship in 2005.

In seven race starts with the cash-strapped Hispania Racing Team, his best have been 17th in Monaco and Montreal. Thus, not much should be expected from Karthikeyan whose first priority would be, as per his own admission, to qualify and then finish the 60-lap race.

The omission of Karun Chandhok from the Lotus-Renault line-up was to be expected. For all the public expression of sentiments and rather generous words, team principal Tony Fernandes was obviously unwilling to sacrifice business interests that take precedence over mush regarding an Indian racing in the inaugural Indian GP.