Buddh International Circuit in India a positive addition to the Formula 1 family
Formula 1 has seen quite a few new circuits added to the calendar year and the 2011 season marked the inauguration of a brand new circuit, the hosting of a Grand Prix for the first time ever in India.
Buddh International Circuit held the first ever Indian Grand Prix with success. Although the initially it was marred by hurdles, time constraints, potential protests from local farmer over land compensation dispute and even dog invasions on the track, but
the organisers did a good job to overcome those hurdles and make the Indian Grand Prix a successful event.
Hermann Tilke designed the circuit and drivers have given it a positive feedback. It boasts speed and slow corners making it a circuit which has everything a modern day Formula 1 circuit should have. Lewis Hamilton said a few words in praise of the circuit,
“It's really one of my favourite circuits now and it's very rare that I would say that about any circuit, to be honest,” he said. “It's just really nice to drive. It's very flowing, I like the speed of the corners - the mid-section is fantastic.”
“Sometimes you have a good middle sector and boring first and last ones, but this track, even though it's a very simple sector one - turns two and three are really, really quite special as you're braking up hill. I'll be sad to leave and I'm looking forward
to next year when I can get some more laps on it,” he added.
Although Hamilton was happy with the track, other drivers were not so positive over their feedback. Bruno Senna was one who complained about the dust over the track as a problem which reduced overtaking during the race. He also provided the organisers with
a solution to the issue. Senna advised to use the circuit-cleaning trucks used in Singapore which he assumes will even out the surface and make overtaking much more easy.
Pirelli also remained conservative over its tyre selection for the newly developed circuit, without any prior knowledge of the circuit Pirelli’s Paul Hembery decided it would be best to be safe. This made the race a little lop sided as the leader stayed
in a lead because the chasing cars were not able to gain enough grip to chase the car down.
The fans though made up for any of the defects of the circuit, the almost 95,000 strong fans turning out on the race day, the event became very colourful and festive. The Indians have responded well to the hype and though it remains to be seen if next year
would see the same outcome, the chances of an encore are very promising.
India itself benefited a lot from the event as it put India on the map not just in terms of hosting a premier motor sport event, but also as modern day India brimming with potential for all sorts of festivities and events. Vijay Mallya Force India owner
shared similar views and expressed that the inaugural GP event in India will promote India as a whole and bring bigger and better things to the country in the future.
What 2012 holds for the venue when Formula 1 visits again remains to be seen, but it has been a positive start and for the sake of the sport hoping that it remains that way.
Tags: