Bernie Ecclestone has insisted that the inaugural Indian Grand Prix will go ahead as planned in 2011.
"There's never been any doubt," says F1 supremo
Bernie Ecclestone has insisted that the inaugural Indian Grand Prix will go ahead as planned in 2011.
The re-assurances of Formula One's commercial rights controller come after doubts recently surfaced in regard to the project's future.
In particular, there have been exchange control issues as India's sports ministry refused to release £22.5 million to Ecclestone's Formula One Administration as part of the deal.
However, Ecclestone has confirmed he will be in India in October to lay the foundation stone for the Hermann Tilke-designed circuit to be built in Greater Noida, south east of New Delhi.
"We are waiting for the circuit to be constructed, but it's been on for a long time," Ecclestone told the
Press Trust of India.
"There's never been any doubt. The contract was signed a long time back.
"The foundation stone will be laid in late October, and I will be in India to do that."
Ecclestone also used the opportunity to hit back at India sports minister Manohar Singh Gill, who recently dismissed Formula One as "expensive entertainment" rather than a sport.
He added: "That's his view. The rest of the world thinks it is a sport."
