Ecclestone: No doubts on Indian GP

India is expected to host its first Formula 1 race in 2011, but the country's sports minister Manohar Singh Gill suggested the government is unlikely to support the event, branding F1 as "expensive entertainment".

Ecclestone, however, says the circuit construction will begin next month and says the race is still on.

"We are waiting for the circuit to be constructed," Ecclestone told the Press Trust of India news agency. "The foundation stone will be laid in late October. I will be in India to lay the foundation stone.

"It's (the race) been on for a long time. There's never been any doubt. The contract was signed a long time ago."

Responding to Singh Gil's comments, Ecclestone said: "That's his view. The rest of the world thinks it is a sport."

Interest in Formula 1 in India has raised significantly since Vijay Mallya bought the Spyker team to race under the Force India name.

The team scored its first Formula 1 points last Sunday at Spa, were Giancarlo Fisichella finished in second position.