Indian motorsport head warns 2013 Indian F1 Grand Prix `could be last`

London: The head of Indian motorsport has reportedly warned that this weekend`s Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) near Delhi could be the last Formula One race held in the country.

The race has already been dropped from next year`s provisional schedule and, although a return has been planned for 2015, nothing has been finalised. According to The Guardian, president of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India Vicky Chandhok said that if the race does not come back in 2015, it might never come back at all, for which he wants to make the race an event to remember in order to keep the Indian Grand Prix. Chandhok, who is the father of the racing driver Karun Chandhok, further said that if they lose the race, it would be very disappointing as it took them ten years to get the race in the first place, adding that the race has been good for the economy for the past two years. The report mentioned that the first race at the BIC facility in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi, took place in 2011, with drivers and team principals uniting to praise the quality of the track. A combination of India`s declining economic situation and increased competition from other countries has led to India dropping off next year`s itinerary. The loss of the race would be a massive blow to the car manufacturers Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault, all heavily involved in F1 and anxious to make an impact in a nation with a population of 1.2 billion, the report added.