INDIA in F1

Category: Formula 1

  • Arjun Maini, Tarun Reddy, Jehan Daruvala win the `1 from a Billion Hunt’

    Delhi, 28 Oct 2011: After hosting the regional rounds of the `One From A Billion’ Hunt spanning seven cities, the Sahara Force India Formula One Team Academy has finally chosen the three winners from thousands of applicants during the final round of the Hunt recently held at Silverstone.

     

    Arjun Maini (14 year old) from Bangalore was chosen as the winner of the Sahara Force India Formula One Team Academy’s One From A Billion Hunt. The first runner up was Tarun Reddy (14) from Chennai with the second runner up being Jehan Daruvala (13) from Mumbai. While Arjun Maini and Tarun Reddy qualified from the Bangalore and Chennai regional rounds of the One From A Billion Hunt, Jehan Daruvala qualified through the Wild Card Entry Round that was held in Hyderabad.

    At the end of the intensive hands-on week, an expert panel consisting of Robert Fernley, Deputy Team Principal, Sahara Force India Formula One, Eddie Jordan, F1 Expert and Commentator of BBC, Anthony Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg, Test and reserve driver, Sahara Force India Team, evaluated and picked the three winners on the basis of a holistic assessment of their multiple capabilities and proficiency in requisite areas.

    The winners were chosen from the ten national finalists selected during the National Finals held in Goa. The ten finalists went on to do a week-long intensive stint at Silverstone, UK comprising sessions of driver tuition on Dmax Karts, a day at the Porsche Human Performance Centre to assess and develop fitness for motorsports and media training with Goodman Media. The ten selected drivers completed their Silverstone experience with a race in Senior Dmax karts at the Daytona Kart Circuit, Milton Keynes.

    “The top three were very close in the race for the championship and I have decided that all three would be sent to Europe for a comprehensive Driver Development Programme. The decision to be taken in consultation with their parents will ensure their education, lodging and training by Sahara Force India.” added Dr. Mallya.

    Arjun Maini, Tarun Reddy and Jehan Daravala, will receive a fully funded European based driver development programme preparing them to become Formula One drivers. They will commence their journey to becoming a Formula 1 driver with a go-karting programme in Europe. They will then advance to appropriate single-seater formula series before progressing to GP3 and GP2 and then F1.

    Bollywood connection

    The Sahara Force India Formula One Team, hosted a very special guest at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. Present at the Sahara Force India Formula One Team garage and showing his support for the team was none other than Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan. Present along with Mr. Khan was

    Vijay Mallya, Team Principal and Managing Director, and Subrata Roy Sahara, Chairman of Sahara Force India Formula One Team

    (Note: Retrieved from old website articles in Oct 2019)

  • 30,000 fans cheer World Champ Sebastian Vettel at home in Heppenheim, Germany

    30,000 fans cheer World Champ Sebastian Vettel at home in Heppenheim, Germany

    From a Red Bull release

    Heppenheim, October 22nd 2011:  He earned his second world title on the Formula One circuits of the world, but he was celebrated at home. As in the previous year, Sebastian Vettel wished to celebrate his victory with his fans at his hometown. And that’s why this Saturday, between the races in South Korea and India, Sebastian travelled to “Heppenheim”. Already at noon, Europaplatz square was filled with enthused Vettel supporters, and when he arrived with his Red Bull Racing lady “Kinky Kylie”, the crowd was already in a very festive mood. Everybody wanted to congratulate Sebastian and had ample opportunity to do so. The young German signed countless autographs and answered various questions that announcer Joko Winterscheidt asked him in the name of the fans. “For me it’s the nicest present to celebrate with so many people here in Heppenheim. That’s better than any trophy!”, Vettel said after the reception. “Thanks to everybody who came today.” Like his fans, he had sparkling eyes when he said that.

    The scenes that took place on Heppenheim’s Europaplatz square yesterday were reminiscent to a rock concert: cheering fans in the front rows, numerous declarations of love on banners and an intoxicating show on the stage. The “star” everyone cheered for didn’t have any airs and graces but was just as thrilled by the whole spectacle as his fans were. “You’re just amazing!”, the overwhelmed Sebastian Vettel exclaimed when he was welcomed on the stage by German Formula One reporter Felix Goerner. “I would have never expected so many people would come and celebrate with me.”

    A long time before Sebastian Vettel arrived at his world champion party, the first fans had appeared at the 44,000 square-metre Heppenheim fairground already in the morning. The front spots were filled soon, and when Heppenheim’s mayor Rainer Burelbach officially opened the party at 4pm, around 30,000 people were already in place.

    The crowd went wild when German soul band “Soehne Mannheims” announced the arrival of the German double world champion with the song “Das Hat die Welt Noch Nicht Gesehen” (“The World Hasn’t Seen It Yet”). Then, the stage show of 7 b-boys in Red Bull Racing outfits sent the crowd into raptures. At 5pm, finally the loud noise of an engine came up. Fans listened to the approaching buzz, until Sebastian turned Europaplatz square into a Formula One stage with the ear-battering engine sound of his “Kinky Kylie”. Escorted by police that restricted the speed of the Red Bull Racing car according to the traffic regulations, Sebastian arrived, came to a stop directly at the feet of his fans and stormed the crowd in order to greet his numerous fans personally by hand.

    In addition to the fans, Vettel’s motorsports colleagues had come to Heppenheim to join the congratulators  DTM champion Martin Tomczyk (GER) and David Coulthard arrived from the neighbouring race circuit of Hockenheim.

    At 7pm, Sebastian Vettel left the stage and went for Soehne Mannheims who played a last song. Then, he said goodbye to his German fans signing more autographs. “It was really great to meet Sebastian. I stood in the first row and got an autograph”, an 11-year-old fan proudly reported. And Sebastian Vettel was over the moon, too: “Today really was a fantastic day for me and I’m absolutely excited that Heppenheim’s citizens are supporting me like this.”

  • Interview with Indian-born Sauber F1 Team CEO Monisha Kaltenborn Narang

    Monisha Kaltenborn Narang:

    Monisha Kaltenborn Credit: Sauber Release, 20 Oct 2011:  “The grand prix is good for India and good for Formula One”

    Hinwil, 18th October 2011 – Sauber F1 Team CEO Monisha Kaltenborn Narang, the only woman to hold such a position in Formula One, was born in India and is looking forward to the inaugural grand prix in her native country.

    Mrs Kaltenborn Narang, what does the first Formula One grand prix in India mean to you?

    Monisha Kaltenborn Narang: “For me personally it will be a very special experience, because for the first time I’ll be able to combine my work with a visit back to the country of my birth – and, moreover, as part of the inaugural grand prix in India. As the team’s CEO it’s always extremely interesting to go to a new country with Formula One, as it opens up new avenues for a team. It can generate new partnerships – in this case with Indian companies – while existing partners gain access to another important market. We’re delighted to have Amul, one of the best known and strongest brands in India, on board for the grand prix. For me there’s also a personal element in this agreement, as I remember Amul products from childhood, of course. I was particularly keen on their butter.”

    When and why did you leave India?

    MKN: “My parents and I left India in 1979, when I was eight. We didn’t have any pressing reason to relocate abroad, but back then there were a lot more options in terms of further education outside India, and my parents wanted to give me those opportunities. Besides, our family business, a two-wheeler dealership, was hardly a labour of love for my father. The obvious move as far as my education was concerned was to settle in an English-speaking country, but instead we ended up in Austria. Vienna was our first port of call after leaving India, as my father’s uncle was working at the atomic agency in the city and we liked it there. When we arrived I started at an Austrian school rather than an international one, as my parents thought it was important for me to learn the language properly and integrate into Austrian society. After leaving school I also completed my law studies in Vienna and took Austrian citizenship. That gave me a lot of administrative benefits, but I also had a strong connection with the country, of course, after spending a significant part of my life there. I’m still an Austrian citizen, although I now live in Switzerland and am married to a German.”

    What memories do you have of your childhood in India?

    MKN: “I have very good childhood memories of India, especially of how my grandparents used to spoil me; for a long time I was their only grandchild. I also have some fond early memories of school in India and of friendships from back then. I attended Welham Girls’ High School in Dehradun, where I was born. The city is in the north of the country and one of the oldest in India. Welham was a renowned girls’ boarding school, and it served me very well. At home I had three dogs, whom I loved dearly.”

    Can you still speak Hindi?

    MKN: “My Hindi is no longer very good, unfortunately, as I haven’t had much chance to speak it for a while. But that’s changing, as I try to speak Hindi with my kids now and again. My son is nine, my daughter six, and I’d like them to learn the language. My parents are making a real effort on that front, so the children pick up more from them than they do from me. We’ve got to the point now at home where we only use Hindi for certain words. For example, no one says ‘tea’ in our house – that’s ‘chai’. And when the children were smaller and wanted to be picked up, they’d always shout out ‘godi’. My German parents-in-law even started using the expression.”

    Did you still make frequent visits home after emigrating to Austria?

    MKN: “Yes, I made regular trips back while I was at school and studying. And my husband and I were married in India according to Hindu tradition, so it was a big, colourful and very happy celebration. Our visits back have become a little less frequent since the kids came along, though. And since 2010, when I’ve travelled to every grand prix, we haven’t had any time to get over to India. So I’m particularly looking forward to going back this time.”

    How would you assess the level of interest in Formula One in India?

    MKN: “I think there’s a lot of interest within the country. I get the impression that excitement has been growing significantly over recent months. The closer the grand prix gets, the more media enquiries we’ve been fielding from India. It’s not easy for any sport to find a space in the public consciousness there alongside cricket. But I’m sure that this grand prix will represent a big step towards establishing our sport in India.”

    How important is Formula One for India, and how important is India for Formula One?

    MKN: “This year’s Formula One schedule comprises 19 races in 18 countries, and it’s right and proper that India is now part of this exclusive group. The decision to add India to the calendar reflects the country’s global and economic standing. India also represents a very big market for Formula One and, as such, has huge potential for many companies, some of which are already involved in the sport. Plus, India ranks as a high-tech hub nowadays and boasts extremely well-qualified specialists. The grand prix could open doors for more engineers and companies to find their way into Formula One. As I see it, incorporating India into the World Championship is a good move both for the country and for Formula One.”

    Is there a part of your character that you would describe as typically Indian?

    MKN: “I have a certain calm and openness, which you might say are typically Indian. I can accept situations and deal with them as I find them. Often, getting worked up is a waste of energy, as you can’t do anything to change the situation. The important thing is to respond to the new circumstances by retraining your sights and deciding how to move forward again from there. In 2009 we experienced a number of significant developments in a very short space of time. We had to accept what was happening as quickly as possible in order to deal with the new situation.”

    Before becoming CEO of the Sauber F1 Team at the start of 2010 you weren’t really on the public radar. What is your professional background?

    MKN: “After completing my studies, I worked for various law firms in Germany and Vienna. Then, in 1998, I moved to Liechtenstein to take up a post at the Fritz Kaiser Group, where I first came into contact with Formula One. As a legal specialist I was responsible for the involvement of FKG in what was then the Red Bull Sauber team. I then joined Sauber directly in 2000 andtook over the running of the legal department. Since 2001 I’ve been a member of the Board of Management, so I’ve been involved in all internal processes as well as relations with the FIA, the FOM and the other teams.”

    To what extent do you see it as something special to be the only woman in such a position in Formula One?

    MKN: “Given my career path – as we’ve just been discussing – my appointment did not come as a surprise either to me or to the team. When I took up the post of CEO I really wasn’t aware that it would be an issue to people outside the team that I was a woman. I go about my work with passion and see no reason why being a woman should stop me doing that. I now realise, of course, that this is not taken quite so much for granted in all quarters. I’d be very happy if seeing me as CEO of a Formula One team emboldened other women with an interest in our sport to pursue their goals.”

    How would you assess the performances of the Sauber F1 Team so far in 2011?

    MKN: “All in all, I’m quite happy with the season, especially when you think of the obstacles we’ve had to overcome since 2009. Our aim for 2011 was to make a clear improvement over 2010. We had a strong first half of the season overall. However, since then various factors have conspired to cost us points and chip away at the advantage we’d built up earlier in the year.”

    What are the team’s aims for the remaining three races of the season?

    MKN: “That’s very clear: we want to reclaim sixth place in the constructors’ standings after slipping down to seventh recently.”

    What are you hoping for ahead of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix?

    MKN: “I’d like India’s Formula One debut to be a wonderful sporting occasion and the Sauber F1 Team to contribute to the excitement of the spectators by putting in a good performance.”

  • Vettel seals world title in Suzuka

    Sebastian Vettel became the youngest back-to-back and double world champion in Formula One history.

    It was not with the glory he had hoped for with a victory in Japan as that honour went to Jenson Button, the in-form Briton taking the chequered flag for the third time this year.

    But Vettel at least finished on the podium at Suzuka with a third place to take the acclaim of the crowd.

  • Superb Vettel makes his point

    It has become his trademark – a raised forefinger to signify he is number one following another clinching of pole position or after a grand prix victory.

    Now, Sebastian Vettel has every justification to stick up two fingers, and not only to mark the achievement of becoming the youngest back-to-back and double world champion in Formula One history.

    But two fingers also to the sport’s establishment who last season questioned his arguably fortuitous title triumph, his temperament at times, and even his on-track ability.

    Yes, Vettel has the car beneath him, a beast of a Red Bull that in its design infancy is crafted not by fancy computer gizmos, but by the fine hand of Adrian Newey.

    The most successful engineer F1 has seen relies on paper and pencil to initially weave his magic that ultimately translates into one of the sport’s most “phenomenal” machines, an over-used word employed by team principal Christian Horner, but apt nonetheless.

    Still, it requires a driver with incredible ability to produce the kind of mesmerising performances we have witnessed this season from Vettel.

    In 2010 the 24-year-old came of age, the campaign a learning curve with such an acute incline that this season there can be no doubt he took everything on board last year and moved up another gear.

    Last season was proof, if it were needed, of a title race being a marathon and not a sprint, with Vettel making a dash for the line over the closing stages, outpacing Fernando Alonso and Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber.

    On pole 10 times, he only won five races, a poor statistic that undermined his championship ambitions, and underlined why he failed to win his debut crown far earlier in the season.

    The most crucial of those victories, of course, was in the final race in Abu Dhabi, giving him the lead in the championship for the first time, and when it mattered the most, at the death.

    The build-up to his moment of glory, though, was marred by talks of favouritism over Webber, the Australian pulling no punches at times that he felt he was a number two driver.

    And then there was their bust-up in Turkey, the on-track collision that sparked a feud that in turn prompted suggestions Red Bull had a pecking order within their team.

    Later in the season, when Vettel rammed into Jenson Button in the Belgian Grand Prix, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh cruelly labelled the German the “crash kid”.

    Come the denouement, Vettel deserved his accolade as the youngest world champion in F1 history – just, but you can see why question marks lingered coming into this season.

    So in becoming a two-time champion, Vettel has achieved the feat a year younger than Fernando Alonso managed in 2006, and pertinently, coming as close to perfection as can possibly be achieved in F1.

    From 15 races this season he has been on pole 12 times, moving to within two of Nigel Mansell’s 1992 record, the Briton achieving his feat in just 16 races, but in a Williams that carried so much technical wizardry the FIA outlawed it the following year.

    And with nine wins to his name, only one driver has managed more – the seemingly incomparable Michael Schumacher, whose 2004 tally of 13 could yet be equalled.

    No-one has come close to holding a candle to Vettel, certainly not team-mate Webber who has yet to take the chequered flag this year, and certainly neither Button nor Lewis Hamilton as the former has rightly stated McLaren have made too many mistakes this year.

    As for Alonso, he has shown flashes of genius, but in fairness he had no chance due to being handicapped at the start of the year by a Ferrari many claimed was too conservative.

    So Vettel again stands looking down on his adversaries, and as a backdrop to his triumph, one of the finest tracks in F1 in Suzuka in Japan where some of the greats of the sport have also been crowned – Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher.

    So what next for Vettel? Ahead of him are Schumacher’s records of seven world championships, 91 grands prix victories and 68 poles to conquer, milestones that will undoubtedly seem light years away right now.

    But he is young, has time on his side, and given the right car in the years to come – and remember he signed with Red Bull through to 2014 earlier this season – who is to say the seemingly unbeatable cannot be beaten?

  • Horner has Bahrain concerns

    Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has voiced his concerns with regard to the “rather worrying” situation in Bahrain.

    This year’s grand prix, which was due to be the season-opener, had to be cancelled following a political uprising that resulted in the deaths of a number of protestors.

    The race currently has a slot of April 22 for next year, the fourth event on the calendar, but even though it is still six months away there remain doubts as to whether it will go ahead.

    Last week 13 doctors and nurses were handed sentences of 15 years for treating activists wounded during the protests, whilst a further seven received terms of five to 10 years.

    The international condemnation that followed their sentencing, from governments and human-rights groups, was overwhelming, and with a further 264 cases pending, the situation shows no sign of easing.

    Speaking to Press Association Sport with regard to the prospect of a race in the Gulf kingdom next year, Horner said: “Obviously it’s worrying when you hear the type of news that’s come out of Bahrain.

    “But [F1 supremo] Bernie [Ecclestone], more than anybody, is probably acutely aware of the situation there.

    “When the time is right for difficult decisions that have to be made, he’s demonstrated he’s not afraid of making them.

    “But yes, some of the reports that have come out of Bahrain recently, the situation is rather worrying.”

    Horner is naturally hoping if and when a decision is made, it is done so sooner rather than later to avoid the uncertainty that unfolded in the weeks leading up to this season.

    “Prior to the end of the year there is plenty of opportunity, with different world council meetings, for them to look at it,” added Horner.

    “So I’m sure at that level, between the promoter and regulators, it will be discussed in some detail.

    “We have to trust their judgment that they will make the right decisions, which I am sure they will.”

    Horner has confirmed the matter has yet to be discussed by the Formula One Teams’ Association, although is convinced it will be soon.

    “I’m sure if we have a meeting either this weekend or next weekend it will be on the agenda,” said Horner.

    “It’s a situation the teams, though, have little influence over, but the right decision was made this year.

    “I’m sure if there is a difficult decision to be made again – and I’m sure it won’t be left so long next time – I’ve every confidence in Bernie who puts the calendar together.”

    Renault team principal Eric Boullier, however, feels F1 can afford to wait until as late as possible to give Bahrain every possibility of resolving any problems.

    “I would be in favour of waiting until the last minute. If everything is clear by February, let’s go there,” said Boullier.

    “We’ll keep an eye on it. On the human side, it’s not nice to see all these problems, but on the sport side, we want to be back in Bahrain.

    “We have not changed our position from last year. Bahrain has been part of Formula One for many years. They have invested in Formula One and we like to go there. It’s part of the show now.

    “So we want to be back, but not at any price because we have some people (team members) we are responsible for.”

    McLaren team principal and FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh also believes time is on the sport’s side to see if the situation becomes calmer.

    “As far as I know it’s quite a lot calmer than it was six months ago when we were having this discussion before,” said Whitmarsh.

    “We’ve enough time to speculate on next year. It’s probably a bit premature at the moment. We just have to see what it happens.

    “There was clearly some unrest, clearly some aftermath from that, but I don’t know what’s going to happen in the coming months.

    “It’s a bit early to speculate on what may or may not happen.”

  • Force India in points again at Sepang

    From Special Correspondent (F1)

    Kuala Lumpur, 10 April 2011: In hot and humid conditions, the expected rains failed to arrive and Red Bull Racing continued its dominance with Sebastian Vettel winning his second race of the season and fourth consecutive F1 race as he logged in 25 more points to comfortable win the Petronas F1 Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang, 80 kms, from here on Sunday. McLaren Mercedes driver Jenson Button was second and Nick Heidfeld of Lotus F1 Renault was a surprise third.

    Thanks to Russian Petrov’s spectacular off-the-track excursion and sad retirement, Force India’s Paul di Resta, who drove a consistent race was in 9th place but the experienced Michael Schumacher overtook Paul in the last lap to bag two points. Paul got one point again for his 10th place  It was tough race for everyone with tactics and strategies ruled the roost and Force India Formula One Team came home in 10th and 11th positions for a second successive finish for both the drivers who finished 9 and 10th at the season opener in Melbaourne. The team is now joint 5th in the Constructors’ Championship with four points on the table, and Paul di Resta joins Adrian Sutil on two Championship points.

    Both drivers made a clean race start, however Adrian had to return to the pits for a new nose on lap 3 after a coming together with Rubens Barrichello. Paul was the first to make a tyre stop and it was a different strategy of tyre options for the drivers. Paul had a very good race battling with Rosberg and the mid-fielders in the first stint and Schumacher in the second. He made up four places to bring home another point for the team on Sunday. Adrian quickly made up lost ground due to the early nose change and was charging through the field for most of the race. He ran consistently in 12th position until a retirement by Petrov led to Adrian crossing the line in a well deserved 11th place.

    “I am quite happy I must say. The team did a good job with the strategy. I just could not hold off Michael at the end, he had fresher tyres and we had to stop a bit earlier for my third stop than predicted. But I also did not want to risk the championship point as well,’’ said Paul di Resta.

    “The first few laps were not brilliant as I lost my front wing touching Barrichello’s rear tyre. Then we had a two-stop strategy, Changing from soft tyres to hard and another set of soft again and I made them last well, which is positive. We could have been in for a much better finishing position, which is a shame. Overall the team did a great job with the pitstops so I’d like to thank them for that,’’ said Adrian Sutil.

    Team Principal Vijay Mallya was all praise the team: `The boys did a great job with the pitstops in very difficult weather conditions and the team’s strategies worked very well. Paul did an excellent job coming home in the points once again, while I believe that Adrian would also have finished in the top ten had it not been for the early nose change which altered his two-stop strategy.’’

    Talking about the Indian Grand Prix he was excited and said it was a big event. “Millions of youth were dreaming of an Indian team in the Formula One and it was my first dream a few back. Now India getting to host a GP is second big dream come true. We have lined up some updates for our aerodynamics and constantly making changes to improve the cars. The aim is to do better than last year and the whole team is working hard and confident,’’ he conduded.

    Elsewhere, Raghupathy Singhania, the JK Tyre stalwart gave away the prizes for the inaugural JK Racing Asia Series, a support race before the F1 event and for the first time JK banner was the back-drop at the Prize Distribution ceremony of an F1 event.

    eom/David

  • Force India in points again but Schumy pips Paul

    Kuala Lumpur, 10 April 2011: In hot and humid conditions, the expected rains failed to arrive and Red Bull Racing continued its dominance with Sebastian Vettel winning his second race of the season and fourth consecutive F1 race as he logged in 25 more points to comfortably win the Petronas F1 Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang, 80 kms, from here on Sunday. McLaren Mercedes driver Jenson Button was second and Nick Heidfeld of Lotus F1 Renault was a `surprising’ third.

    Thanks to Russian Petrov’s spectacular off-the-track excursion and sad retirement, Force India’s Paul di Resta, who drove a consistent race was in 9th place but the experienced Michael Schumacher overtook Paul in the last lap to bag two points. Paul got one point again for his 10th place  It was tough race for everyone with tactics and strategies ruled the roost and Force India Formula One Team came home in 10th and 11th positions for a second successive finish for

    Singhania who presented trophies for the support race seen with Indian race Bharath. Photo by Scorp News
    Singhania who presented trophies for the support race seen with Indian race Bharath. Photo by Scorp News

    both the drivers who finished 9 and 10th at the season opener in Melbaourne. The team is now joint 5th in the Constructors’ Championship with four points on the table, and Paul di Resta joins Adrian Sutil on two Championship points.

    Both drivers made a clean race start, however Adrian had to return to the pits for a new nose on lap 3 after a coming together with Rubens Barrichello. Paul was the first to make a tyre stop and it was a different strategy of tyre options for the drivers. Paul had a very good race battling with Rosberg and the mid-fielders in the first stint and Schumacher in the second. He made up four places to bring home another point for the team on Sunday. Adrian quickly made up lost ground due to the early nose change and was charging through the field for most of the race. He ran consistently in 12th position until a retirement by Petrov led to Adrian crossing the line in a well deserved 11th place.

    “I am quite happy I must say. The team did a good job with the strategy. I just could not hold off Michael at the end, he had fresher tyres and we had to stop a bit earlier for my third stop than predicted. But I also did not want to risk the championship point as well,’’ said Paul di Resta.

    “The first few laps were not brilliant as I lost my front wing touching Barrichello’s rear tyre. Then we had a two-stop strategy, Changing from soft tyres to hard and another set of soft again and I made them last well, which is positive. We could have been in for a much better finishing position, which is a shame. Overall the team did a great job with the pitstops so I’d like to thank them for that,’’ said Adrian Sutil.

    Team Principal Vijay Mallya was all praise the team: `The boys did a great job with the pitstops in very difficult weather conditions and the team’s strategies worked very well. Paul did an excellent job coming home in the points once again, while I believe that Adrian would also have finished in the top ten had it not been for the early nose change which altered his two-stop strategy.’’

    Talking about the Indian Grand Prix he was excited and said it was a big event. “Millions of youth were dreaming of an Indian team in the Formula One and it was my first dream a few back. Now India getting to host a GP is second big dream come true. We have lined up some updates for our aerodynamics and constantly making changes to improve the cars. The aim is to do better than last year and the whole team is working hard and confident,’’ he conduded.

    Elsewhere, Raghupathy Singhania, the JK Tyre stalwart gave away the prizes for the inaugural JK Racing Asia Series, a support race before the F1 event and for the first time JK banner was the back-drop at the Prize Distribution ceremony of an F1 event.

    eom

  • Indian Motorsports Marshals Club formed to train Marshals for Indian GP

    Chennai, 21 Dec 2010: The Indian Motorsport Marshals Club (IMMC) has been formed as a national-level organization to provide race officials and marshals to manage the first-ever Indian F1 GP at the Jaypee Circuit, Noida, Delhi on 30th October 2011. Under the auspices of the Federation of Motorsport Sports Club of India (FMSCI) and the international FIA Institute of Motor Safety, the IMMC have just completed the first-level training programme to ensure the F1 Grand Prix (GP) in 2011 is a real sporting success.

    Marshalls willing to sign up can do so with the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle), www.immc.in that has been created for this, to volunteer to work at the first-ever F1 GP in India. These marshals will then go through a selection and training programme to ensure the best quality marshals. The MSA will provide support throughout 2011 up to an including the GP itself.

    Founding members of the Marshals Club. Adrenna photo

    This training is part of a thorough on-going programme of support and development provided by the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association of the UK (MSA). Two trainers, Sue Sanders and Ian Watson have spent the last 4 days this week, working with senior motorsports officials of this country who will on to undertake training of new and existing marshals across the country.

    Sanders said “The people we have worked with have been so enthusiastic; it’s been a real pleasure to work with them. They seem to be very passionate about motorsports and we are looking forward to helping out in any way possible”.

    Ian Watson commented “There are certain individuals within the group who are very experienced and they’ve proven throughout the week their intention and determination to deliver very high quality training for all marshals.”

    The MSA Training Team will be back to provide further support in the build up to the event and some of the senior officials might also visit at least one other F1 GP for intensive hands-on tracks-side training at all levels including the conclusion of the Train-The-Trainers Course. As a result of the formation of the IMMC, the FMSCI will soon have a large pool of licensed marshals to officiate at all the FMSCI events around the country on a need be basis, thereby adding further improvements to the administration of the sport.

  • India to host 2011 FIA Annual Gala Awards ceremony

    New Delhi, 15 Dec 2010: India will become the first Asian country to host the Annual the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Gala Awards after the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) announced today that it will be held in New Delhi in 2011. The FIA recently approved the presentation put forward on behalf of the FMSCI by its Chairman, Dr. Vijay Mallya at the World Council meeting in Monte Carlo and will as a result host the Gala on the 9th and 10th of December 2011.

    The annual Prize Giving Gala honours World Champions from the Formula One Championship, World Rally Championship, Karting Championships, and World Touring Cars among others and is a spectacle by its own accord. The crowning of 2010 Champions took place in Monte Carlo on the 10th of December  with FIA President Jean Todt presenting Sebastian Vettel, the youngest ever Formula One World Champion, with his Formula 1 Driver’s Trophy. 

    Notably thrilled that India will host the FIA’s mega event of the year, KD Madan, President of the FMSCI stated, “This is a defining moment for Indian motorsport. First the Indian GP and now the awards taking place in India – It is a clear indication that India is now well and truly on the world map even in the motorsport world! We could not have imagined this couple of years ago but the FMSCI has been working really hard to make motorsports one of the top sports in the country. To be the first country in Asia to host the FIA Annual awards speaks volumes of how Indian motorsport is seen by global audiences. Next year is going to be a proud year for Indian motorsports and we will need all the support we can get from the rest of the nation to make it a success.”

    The added surprise however came through the announcement that the FMSCI and Delhi would also play host to the year ending FIA World Council Meeting and the FIA Annual General Meeting, held during the same period as the Gala. The FIA’s AGM would see over 900 delegates from almost 200 countries in attendance at Delhi next year to review the season’s Motorsport and to secure future plans and set them in place.  The FMSCI is indeed gearing up for an adrenaline packed 2011 season with Indian motorsport presently on an all time high.

    Mr. Madan added, “FMSCI Chairman Vijay Mallya has worked very hard to get these events to India and typical of his hospitality in going all the way to host the esteemed guests himself and plan for the delegates to visit the historical sites of Delhi & of course the Taj Mahal in Agra.”