New Delhi, July 12: Formula One Constructors Association head and presiding deity of the sport, Bernie Ecclestone, is to visit India sometime soon, very possibly after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 20, to evaluate the likelihood of either Hyderabad or Bangalore hosting a Formula One race sometime after the 2005 season.
Ecclestone is on record as having recognised Hyderabad as the front-runner of the two existing candidates with Kolkata’s bid having evaporated after much initial hype two years ago. The consortium fronting the Bangalore bid has, however, roped in German architect Herman Tilkey, the man who designed the eye-catching F1 track at Sepang, Malaysia, to strengthen their claims. Tilkey is also a consultant for China and Turkey in their respective bids to host a Formula One race.
Speed demons waiting for the Formula One circus at an Indian track therefore need not hold their breath for now. It will be at least a couple of years before a serious bid materialises to have world champion Michael Schumacher blazing around an Indian track in his scarlet Ferrari if present trends are anything to go by. There are, however, indications from the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile that either Mumbai or New Delhi would be the preferred destination for an F1 race given the level of infrastructure available at the two bigger metros.
Given the European Union ban on tobacco advertising that comes into force by 2005 end, Formula One bosses have set their sights on Asia as the next big destination and are consequently exploring every opportunity outside of the present set of European venues.