Formula One: Force One pride at India's first GP

MUMBAI — The head of the Force One racing team on Thursday welcomed a decision to give India the chance to host its first Grand Prix, calling it an endorsement of the country's recent progress.The World Motor Sport Council in Paris on Wednesday formally approved India's inclusion on the race calendar for 2011, although it has yet to give a green light to the new track being built outside the capital, New Delhi.Force One team principal Vijay Mallya, who is also chairman of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India and a member of the FIA World Motorsports Council, said he was "delighted" with the decision."There are a maximum of 20 F1 Grand Prix races worldwide each year and it is a matter of pride that India is on the list," said the liquor baron, who also heads Kingfisher Airlines and the Royal Challengers Bangalore T20 cricket side."I feel proud and walk tall among the world's motor sports community."India's economic growth -- which is nearing nine percent -- its young, aspirational population and Formula One's growing popularity makes the country "one of the most attractive future destinations" for the sport, he added.Force One is India's first F1 racing team.A private company, the Jaypee Group, has been chosen to build the 5.14-kilometre (3.2-mile) circuit, which has been designed by Herman Tilke, a German architect behind new race tracks including Bahrain and Malaysia.It is hoped the project, part of a 2,500-acre (1,011-hectare) sports complex in Noida, will be ready in time for the October 30 race, avoiding the delays that have dogged preparations for next month's Commonwealth Games.Millions of Indians have been hooked to F1 ever since local boy Narain Karthikeyan raced for Jordan in 2005.Another Indian driver, Karun Chandhok, signed up for the new Hispania team this year. Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More »

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