Ecclestone claims India close

UPDATE #2 India could host a grand prix in Delhi as early as 2009, a close Indian associate of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said. Leading businessman Vijay Mallya said after signing a sponsorship agreement between his Kingfisher Airlines and the Toyota team that he was confident the sport would come to the sub-continent.

"It has always been my dream to bring Formula One to India," he told a news conference on the sidelines of the launch of Toyota's new TF107 car. The government of Delhi I think really wants Formula One in India and I am optimistic that maybe we will be able to host our first race in 2009."

Ecclestone said last year that he was in negotiations with a regional government in India to build a race track, without identifying which one. The Briton is keen to expand the sport's reach further in Asia, with South Korea already promised a grand prix for 2010 and Singapore hoping for a street race as well. India, with a booming economy and more than 500 million people under the age of 20, is a strong candidate. NewsNineMSN

11/14/06 "There has been expression of interest to Bernie from parties from Punjab/Haryana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu," Vicky Chandhok, chairman, Corporate Communications, Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, told Reuters on Tuesday.

"Potential investors have been told to look at building a multi-utility complex to combine sport and fun and keep Formula One as an incidental activity," he added.

"In the next 10 years, Europe is going to become a third world economy," the Briton said two years ago. "There's no way Europe will be able to compete with China, Korea, India."

11/09/06 Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he has plans to bring Formula 1 to India as early as 2010. Ecclestone admitted in an interview he was 'far down the line' in negotiations with a regional government in India to build a racetrack. India is a country that is probably going to grow quicker than China," Ecclestone told Bloomberg. "We had to make sure we found the right place in India and we have."

Ecclestone also categorically ruled out the possibility of the San Marino GP being reinstated on the 2007 schedule.

Delays over a promised upgrade to the pits/paddock complex and arguments over tobacco advertising have left Imola on the sidelines.

“It’s bye bye to San Marino," Ecclestone said. ITV/F1