FEBRUARY 22, 2001

Ecclestone in India

FORMULA 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is in India this week to see how the Indian Grand Prix project is progressing. The West Bengal state government is behind a project to build a Grand Prix track at Bantola, close to Calcutta (which will soon be renamed Kolkata). The Indians want to conclude a deal with Ecclestone before pushing ahead with the construction of the track, although everything is in place and work can begin almost immediately if a deal is agreed.

While the circuit will not be too difficult to construct, there is less certainty about the other infrastructure that is needed, notably sufficient hotel rooms in the city and good roads to and from the racing circuit.

The West Bengal government is keen to do the deal before elections in April.