Indian fans of Formula 1 are disappointed as F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone drops the Indian Grand Prix from the 2014 calendar, after a lot of rumours surrounding the 2014 Indian Grand Prix, President and CEO of Formula One Bernie Ecclestone, has confirmed the absence of the race from the calendar but also said that the race will return the following season. Ecclestone had hinted about the move earlier during the Hungarian Grand Prix but only recently announced that there the race in India will not be on schedule in 2014.
“Hosting one race in October 2014 and another in early 2015 was too close. Therefore, after speaking to promoters, we think it is best not to have a race in 2014 and have one in 2015," Ecclestone said. Having said that, Malaysia has hosted two races in a really short span of time in 2000 when the race at Sepang was shifted from October to March. The F1 supremo said that the FIA has always been keen on scheduling the Indian Grand Prix for the first half of the season before the European leg kicks in but promoters Jaypee wanted it to be in October. Although the FIA gave in for the first three seasons, it now looks like the race will be shifted to early on in the season in 2015. Scheduling the race at the Buddh International Circuit would mean that India is likely to join Australia, Malaysia, Bahrain and China.
The season finale of World Superbike that was to be hosted at the Buddha International Circuit from 15-17 November this year has also been cancelled. The venue was scheduled to host the second round of the season earlier in March but was postponed for preparation of its first international bike race. ‘Operational challenges’ have led to the reason for the cancellation this time round. Furthermore, the Greater Noida venue will not host the World Superbike race next year as well and will only make its debut in 2015. Russia is also gearing up for its first race at Sochi towards the end of 2014 and is most likely to take the space that is made vacant by the Indian Grand Prix. In addition a Grand Prix in New Jersey and return of the sport to Austria is also in the pipeline. The increase in the number of rounds in a season might just be a cause of concern for Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) and the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA).
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