Indian track inspection delayed until September

Formula 1 governing body the FIA will inspect India’s brand-new Buddh International Circuit on Thursday 1 September following a delay, according to the country’s IANS news agency. The Jaypee Sports-owned venue will then be hosting its inaugural Grand Prix on the final weekend of October.

The official track homologation by FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting had been scheduled to take place this week, although the delay has been confirmed due to expected weather conditions in the Greater Noida area.

“The FIA have decided to go with the September date," explains Vicky Chandhok, father of Lotus reserve driver Karun and head of the Indian Motorsport federation. “Mr. Whiting and his team will first visit the Korea circuit in Yeongam and then head to India via Europe.

“There are finishing touches to be given to the track and the FIA people wanted to visit the area in dry weather, so we jointly went with a later date.

“The track is complete, the tarmac has been laid. Now it is only the weathering coat on the tarmac that is left and we plan to do that by 15 September. The coat is recommended for the closest date to the race. The other infrastructural work is also going on but there is no need for any panic."