Setting the Scene for the Indian Grand Prix
Formula 1 seems to have taken to the Buddh International Circuit, despite its 'rough around the edges look, thanks to the enthusiasm India has shown for the sport ahead of it's maiden World Championship Grand Prix. Edd Straw sets the scene
Unlike certain other new F1 countries, where the arrival of a grand prix hasn't always led to a sustained groundswell of interest, India is ready for F1. For a start, it has an Indian-owned team and two drivers. That is hugely valuable for the appeal of this race, even if Karun Chandhok will be on the sidelines once the chequered flag falls at the end of Friday morning practice, leaving Narain Karthikeyan to carry the nation's hopes (which can stretch only to reaching the chequered flag, given his HRT machinery).
What's more, there is a fanbase for the sport as a whole as for almost two decades grands prix have been broadcast live. So it's not just about local interest. This is a nation brought up on the Michael Schumacher v Mika Hakkinen world championship battles of 1998-2000.
Share Or Save This Story
How the Senna myth has been transformed
Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock
Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident
Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey
Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried
How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge
The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare
2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso
Drugovich lined up for Ganassi IndyCar test later this month
Norris laps landmark LEGO® Technic McLaren P1™ around home of the British Grand Prix
Yamaha: Rivals' choice, 2027 MotoGP rules led to V4 engine development
Verstappen: Ricciardo can reflect on F1 career "anyone could dream of"
The statistical F1 anomaly Verstappen will seek to remedy in Singapore
The hard-to-shift narratives Mercedes needs Antonelli's next steps to dispel
Why Perez is so good in Baku and could still save his 2025 seat
Piastri's brilliance is both saving and causing problems for McLaren
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
