Indian Grand Prix: Taste of India will linger

It would be fair to say that the inaugural Indian Grand Prix was a complete success. Many in the Formula One world were sceptical and would have wondered if India is capable of pulling off such a big stunt. It did.

Formula One and its supremo Bernie Ecclestone were keen on having a race in India. Concrete and steel began to be moved to build the Buddh International Circuit in Greater NOIDA about two years ago and it was an ambitious project. And to move tonnes and tonnes of equipment so far away from New Delhi was going to be quite a task.

Jaypee Sports International Limited has done a tremendous job in getting the track ready on time. This has surprised a lot of people. Yes, there is scope for improving the track but that can be completed for the 2012 Indian Grand Prix.

India is a novelty for a lot of Europeans. Apart from the English and a few others, hardly anyone has been to India. The only thing they knew about India was the exotic stuff, animals on the road and widespread poverty. But they also knew that India’s economic might is too good for Formula One to miss.

It is actually the contrast that is striking. Here as the multi-million dollar race cars are supplied super high quality fuel, the workers who built the track, probable earn very little.

While it looks much westernised inside the venue and paddocks, just step outside the track and one will find bullock carts and buffaloes.

Interestingly, a lot of people loved the whole ‘Indian’ atmosphere outside the circuit. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel was determined to explore the real India and drove around the streets of Delhi. He even made it a point to visit the Taj Mahal.

Lewis Hamilton’s father, Anthony, loved what he saw on the streets. Hamilton Sr even remarked that the United Kingdom need not be so “politically correct”. He said that people in India appeared content, even if they are not rich.

The point is that many of the drivers and teams went back richer after experiencing a new place and culture.

What also surprised the drivers and teams was how knowledgeable and informed the people and media were. This means that the fan base is already there and waiting to be tapped. Apparently, in places like Brazil and South Korea, the people are not so receptive when compared to India.

The successful conduct of the Indian GP has opened up a whole new chapter for India. The country is being looked at with new respect since it has entered an elite league of nations. India needs to build on the momentum gained and try to do even better next year. The most important thing to do is to improve motorsports at the basic level so that there are more Indian drivers in the cars.