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Saturday 31 August 2013

Vijay Mallya believes F1 future is in India

Vijay Mallya believes the Indian GP has a future in Formula One despite being dropped from next year's calendar.
The Indian GP, which takes place at the Buddh International Circuit, made its F1 debut in 2011 and has been plagued with bureaucratic issues including high local tax.
However, it is a change of date that has resulted in the race being cut from next year's scheduled as the race is switching to a March date in 2015 and the organisers do not want two races just months apart.
The axing of the grand prix has led to some speculation that India's long-term Formula One future is also in doubt. Mallya, though, is confident the race will be back.
"Obviously we built a fantastic track, fulfilled the aspirations of hundreds of millions of young Indians, and then started moving and getting established in a country with huge long-term potential," the Force India team boss told Autosport.
"So to miss a year for whatever reason is obviously disappointing. Racing schedules are obviously important, but whether a country as important as India should miss out on a race in one calendar year is a debatable question.
"I am hoping that we will see the race back in India in 2015 if Bernie has decided that there cannot be a race in 2014, because according to him the calendar cannot accommodate it.
"But I think Bernie is smart enough to understand the enormous potential that there is in India. I don't think he will take a short-term view."
The team boss also refuted speculation that if the Indian GP is scrapped that he will also withdraw from the sport.
"It is a disappointment but please understand that I bought this team, named it Force India, and continued to race in the world championship well before there was any Indian GP," he said.
"I am proud of the race, but I don't believe it is curtains. I know for a fact that the promoters in India have agreed all the commercial terms with Bernie [for 2015] and therefore I see no reason why it should not happen."

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