F1 to debut in India on 30 October 2011 at Jaypee Sports City

Indian Formula One race confirmed for October 2011 by FIA.

We are fortunate to host the 18th Championship F1 Race at the new Race Track, under construction, at Greater Noida, near Delhi. This is a dream come true for millions of F1 fans!

The 5.14 km F1 race track is constructed by Jaypee Sports International (JSPI) at the Jaypee Sports City, in Great Noida, adjacent to the Yamuna Expressway that connects Noida and Agra and roughly 35 kms away from New Delhi. This race track is designed by Herman Tilke, with inputs from Bernie Ecclestone. Jaypee Group also sought feedback and inputs from Karun Chandok and other F1 drivers.

Jaypee Group’s race official Mark Hughes is the track’s boss. He told the media that construction was happening in full swing, and the track would ready by May 31st, 2011. He told Times of India that the Indian F1 race track would be one among the fastest Formula One race tracks in the world. He expects that the average lap-time on this track would be approximately 1 min 24 sec.

The World Motors Sports Council gave a green signal to include India’s venue for the 2011 race calendar. In May 2011, The World Motors Sports Council will check for the race track work progress and will approve the decision to host the 18th F1 Championship Race on October 30th 2011. Among the 20 races, Europe will have 9 races and the Asian region will have 8 races. The remaining 3 races will be hosted in Australia, Brazil and Canada.

India's F1 calendar entry delights Mallya

India's inclusion in next year's Formula One calendar was welcomed by Force India owner Vijay Mallya who described the world motor sports governing body FIA's decision as "a dream come true". "As team principal of India's very first F1 team - Force India and in my capacity as chairman of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India and a member of the FIA World Motor Sports Council, this is a dream come true," Dr Mallya said in a statement about the development.

"As an Indian, I feel proud and walk tall amongst the world's motor sports community. 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," Dr Mallya pointed out.

FIA, on Wednesday, decided that India will host its first Formula One Grand Prix on October 30, next year in Noida, one of the 20 events in next year's F1 calendar.

The track needs to be completed by July 30 and it will get a go-ahead subject to FIA's homologation.

Dr Mallya was confident that the track would meet the deadline and live up to the necessary specifications.

"I would like to record my appreciation for the bold initiative taken by the Jaypee Group in establishing a greenfield F1 race track at Noida. From the regular reports I have received, construction is in full progress and the track with considerable supporting infrastructure will be ready well in time for the 2011 event" he said.

Mallya also said that the country will become one of the most attractive sporting destinations in the future.