Indian GP 'within years'

That is the view of the Indian driver himself, who has found himself become one of his country's most famous people on the back of him securing a Formula 1 drive this week.

The Asian country has got fully behind Karthikeyan's F1 plans and, in becoming India's first F1 driver, he is sure that it can only be a massive boost to his country's plans.

"The deal will definitely add more interest to the sport in India," said Karthikeyan speaking to Indian media. "It [an F1 race] could come in the next three to four years. But the government must realise that this is a great business model and take it up seriously."

India is no stranger to being linked to efforts for an F1 race, but talk of races have never gone far. Recent attempts for an event at a new state-of-the-art track in Hyderabad were scuppered after an election changed the region's ruling party, while there has been more recent talk of a street race in the city.