JUNE 14, 2007

India changes tack again - and gets a deal in 2009

India has decided to build a Formula 1 track near New Delhi rather than push ahead with a street race and Bernie Ecclestone has agreed to grant the Indians the chance for a race in 2009 - no doubt with a lot of conditions which will put the pressure to get everything done in a hurry.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi says that the IOA will promote the race and that money will be raised through government or private funding. This gives the Indians 24 months in which to raise the money and construct the track, a huge challenge. A proper contract will not be signed until everything is in place.

It all sounds wildly optimistic.