Unsanitary conditions in India could strike teams

Contrary to some team bosses' earlier remarks, 'Delhi belly' is a concern for Formula One teams as they head to India next week.

'Delhi belly' is a colloquial term for the sort of sickness often picked up by travelers to India as they sample local foods and drink the tap water.

But McLaren and FOTA boss Martin Whitmarsh warned the media not to "overstate" the risks of racing and eating in Delhi.

"I don't think we should single out India as a particular challenge in that regard," he insisted.

Fellow boss Christian Horner added that Red Bull has had a crew running a show car in India recently and there was only "one incident of an upset tummy.

"No, we're not taking any additional precautions," he revealed.

But that's not the case with some of the other teams. A spokesperson for Swiss team Sauber said stomach bugs "could seriously compromise the team's performance if team personnel fall ill.

"This is why so many precautions are being taken," the spokesperson is quoted by the Indian Express.

Added a Toro Rosso spokesperson: "It is a fact that Europeans often pick up stomach bugs when in India."

And a Mercedes spokesperson said its catering team had been deployed to India ahead of time to "source local produce in a new destination."