Ecclestone eyes Indian sponsors for F1

(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone will attempt to stir the interest of the Indian corporate world when he visits the country next month.

The F1 chief executive in October is scheduled to review the progress of the site of the future Indian grand prix, but he has vowed to take the opportunity to also look into how to attract more Indian sponsors to the sport.

2009 is the second year of Vijay Mallya's Force India team, but it is still predominantly the Indian billionaire's own alcohol and airline brands that adorn the livery of the VJM02.

Ecclestone played down the impact of the global recession on F1, but he admitted his interest in tapping into one of the world's most strident economies.

"When I come to India in October I will meet with people and see what is the best way to move forward," the Briton told the Indian press agency PTI.

F1 lost a wave of sponsors amid the recent height of the global financial crisis, but Ecclestone insists the worst of the impact is now past.

"Sponsorship was obviously a problem as a lot of big names were reconsidering but it is better now and sponsors are coming back," he said.