There seems to be renewed vigour behind getting the Indian Grand Prix back for 2015 with organizers determined to make sure the race finds a place on the calendar, after speculation in the run up to this weekend’s event suggested that it could well be the country’s last. Organizers and the sport’s commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone are currently in talks to reschedule the event for early 2015 instead of its traditional late October slot as a result of which the event has been left off the 2014 calendar, the reasoning being that it doesn’t make sense to host two races in the space of six months.
But, beyond the basic logistical reasons, the race has had to cope with broader issues around taxation policies and the high cost of hosting the event which have thrown the Grand Prix’s future in doubt. “I think there’s a renewed energy now, for sure. Sameer (Gaur, race promoter and Jaypee Sports CEO) is now very keen on making sure that we go ahead for 2015. This morning he said, ‘Look, we will make it happen’,” Vicky Chandhok, President of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India said.
“The entire Jaypee Group are the only people who have put their money where their mouth is and at no cost to the government they’ve delivered to this country a world class facility.” “And now just we have to make sure that we can support them in making sure the events come at a sensible cost and they don’t go on spending more and more money in making things happen,” Chandhok, father of former Formula One driver Karun, said.
Promoters typically pay Ecclestone a hosting fee of between $20-50million a year for the privilege of hosting a Formula One race, with the amount escalating by 10 percent every year, and with the rupee in freefall and the fees having to be paid in dollars, the cost burden of hosting the event has increased.
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