Hermann Tilke reveals he was worried ahead of inaugural 2011 Indian Grand Prix – Formula 1 news
Hermann Tilke admitted that he was worried ahead of the debut race of the 2011 Indian Grand Prix which was hosted at the Buddh International Circuit, in the Greater Noida area, outside of New Delhi, India.
In the backdrop of a not-so-successful hosting experience of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth games, immense pressure had build up and the organisers of the race and Tilke had a huge task on their shoulders to ensure the Indian GP turns out to be a success.
A lot of hype had been created about this event in the local as well as international media prior to the race, and people’s expectations from the race were naturally growing.
The German architect confessed that due to the short deadline and heavy workload, a point came where he had almost given up. However, luck came to his rescue and work on the track was completed just in time before the scheduled date for the Indian GP.
Speaking to Times of India, Tilke said, “You had to be afraid of course as the last asphalt layer was done later than usual. But everything worked out fine and the show was the best possible. We started the design four years ago. But construction only started
two years ago.”
One of the biggest hurdles while the making of this track had been working with the soil, Tilke said. A lot of soil had to be added to the land to fill up the space which was quite a time-taking task and a lot of labour was employed to accomplish it.
Tilke added, “We had to bring in the earth to make elevations. It was not logistically difficult but, more a challenge in terms of time. In the end, we were running out of time and then it became a big challenge. But high technology and quality was there...
so the difficulties were mastered by (race organisers) Jaypee group.”
The Buddh International Circuit has amazing elevations, which made driving all the more challenging and exciting for the drivers.
Beside the elevations, another feature that makes this circuit so interesting for the drivers and spectators is its long straight between turn 3 and 4 where a maximum speed of 340 km/h can be achieved.
This design that Tilke chose for the Buddh International Circuit was consciously laid so as to pose a challenge for the drivers. Tilke had intended to give something to the Formula 1 world that is perfect and difficult at the same time.
He thinks that “these are the best drivers in the world who can put on the best show for spectators” and with all the excitement that the track holds, the drivers can easily be lured to fall into the pitfalls.
The 56-year-old has been the mind behind most of the recently designed circuits that have been added to the Formula 1 calendar. Racetracks like the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, Korea International Circuit in Korea, Valencia Street Circuit in Spain, Marina
Bay Street Circuit in Singapore have all been designed by Tilke.
So far, the only criticism that his designs have received is that they lack overtaking opportunities, particularly at the circuits in Abu Dhabi and Valencia.
His recent creation, the Buddh International Circuit, which spans over 5.125 kilometres, is another circuit for the Formula 1 drivers to fancy and most of the drivers have thoroughly enjoyed driving on this new track. There were a few technical problems
faced by the teams when they were on track, however these issues can be ignored for now as the track is new and needs further re-vamping.
The debut race of 2011 Indian Grand Prix has been declared by the Formula 1 world as a huge success which is a huge accomplishment for Hermann Tilke as well as all the race promoters and organisers.
Tags: