Indian Grand Prix

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Indian Grand Prix
Buddh International Circuit

Laps
Circuit length
Race length
Number of times held
First held
Most wins (drivers)
Most wins (constructors)

Pole position

Podium

Fastest lap

Race information
60
5.14 km (3.19 mi)
308.4 km (191.6 mi)
2
2011
Sebastian Vettel (2)
Red Bull (2)
Last race (2012):
Sebastian Vettel
Red Bull-Renault
1:25.283
1.
Sebastian Vettel
Red Bull-Renault
1:31:10.744
2.
Fernando Alonso
Ferrari
+9.437 Sec
3.
Mark Webber
Red Bull-Renault
+13.217 Sec
Jenson Button
McLaren-Mercedes
60

The Indian Grand Prix (sometimes referred to as the Grand Prix of India) is a motor race
in the calendar of the FIA Formula One World Championship currently being held at the
Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida near New Delhi. The first event took place on
30 October 2011 as the 17th race of the 2011 Formula One season.[1] The new race track was
officially homologated on 1 September 2011[2][3][4] by Charlie Whiting, and the inaugural race
was won by Germany's Sebastian Vettel.

History
As early as 1997, there were plans to host an Indian Grand Prix at Calcutta.[5] In 2003, India
had only two permanent raceways, one in Chennai (Irungattukottai), and Kari Memorial
Speedway in Coimbatore.[6] At that time two 600 acres (2.4 km2) sites in the vicinity of the
Bangalore airport were examined. Also, in the state Andhra Pradesh, chief minister
Chandrababu Naidu reserved 1,500 acres (6.1 km2) of land near the airport at Hyderabad.
Vicky Chandhok, father of Karun Chandhok, stated in an interview that "Andhra Pradesh is
really pushing it like no other state! It is great to see a chief minister pushing so hard.
Bangalore is a great location mainly because of the weather".[5] In December 2003, a sevenyear pre-agreement to host the GP in Hyderabad in 2007 was signed. The track was to be

built near Gopanapally village, near the outskirts of Hyderabad, and consisted of 1,367 acres
(5.53 km2) of land.[7]
However, in 2004 there came competition from Mumbai, to shift the track from Hyderabad to
Mumbai instead.[8] Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone expected India
to host a Grand Prix within three years, aiming for locating at either Hyderabad or Mumbai.[9]
In the end these projects were never realised, possibly due to anti-tobacco legislation,[7] and a
change in government policy.[10][11] Both projects then were declared 'dead' in the second half
of 2004, when Mumbai's government decided "not to waste money on car fumes while there
are more serious issues",[12] and the Hyderabad location was converted to an IT park for
technology companies.[13] However, sites at Mumbai were still being investigated (Gorai and
Navi Mumbai). In 2005, Narain Karthikeyan was due to demonstrate a Jordan Grand Prix car
in Mumbai, but the road proved to be too bumpy.[14]
In 2007, five locations remained in the running for hosting the Indian Grand Prix: Bangalore;
the Gurgaon district in the state of Haryana; a permanent track somewhere near New Delhi; a
street circuit in New Delhi, as proposed by Vijay Mallya;[15][16] and a site in Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh.[17]
Following months of negotiations, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Ecclestone
announced in June 2007 a provisional agreement for India to host its first Grand Prix as a part
of the 2009 Formula One season.[18][19] The track would be built in Gurgaon, in consultation
with architect Hermann Tilke.[5][20][21]
However, in September 2007 the IOA announced that the debut race would take place in
2010 on the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida.[22][23] After further assessments of
the timeframe involved, Ecclestone announced in September 2008 that the Indian Grand Prix
has been delayed to 2011.[24]
In October 2008, the Renault F1 team showcased their car on a tour across all sites that were
previously linked to a Formula One circuit in India, except Mumbai: Gurgaon, Lucknow,
Bangalore, Hyderabad and Calcutta.[25] In November 2008 they also performed a street
demonstration on Rajpath at the India Gate end, New Delhi; the car was driven by Nelson
Piquet, Jr..[26][27] In August 2009, the McLaren team showcased their car in Lucknow.[28] On 11
October 2009, the Red Bull Racing team gave a demonstration in Mumbai. David Coulthard
drove the Red Bull car across Mumbai's Bandra Worli Sealink.[29]

Circuit

"The Circuit Official Logo"

Main article: Buddh International Circuit

The race is currently held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, 24 km
(14.9 mi) from Delhi.[30] The circuit, designed by circuit architect Hermann Tilke, is 5.141
kilometres (3.194 mi) in length. The track is spread across an area of 875 acres,[citation needed] and
is a part of Jaypee Green Sports city. The 10-year contract for the race has been given to the
Indian construction company Jaiprakash Associates.[31]
The track in all has 16 largely medium speed corners where Formula One cars lap at an
average speed of approximately 210 km/h (130 mph).[citation needed] The back straight lets cars
reach a top speed of around 320 km/h (199 mph). The current Formula One lap record, set
during the 2011 event, is 1 minute 27.249 seconds. Prior to the first race organizers received
feedback from teams who performed track analysis using simulators, leading to modification
of Turn 7 in order to maximize overtaking opportunities into the banked Turn 10. A
grandstand with a capacity of 13,000 overlooks Turns 10 and 11.[32] According to Ashok
Khurana, executive vice-chairman of JPSI, the cost of the circuit was planned to be between
12 billion and 15 billion (US$309 million/188 million/216 million, at exchange rates of
21 August 2009).[33]
In January 2010 Mark Hughes former second in command at the Bahrain International
Circuit for five years and also advisor to the Yas Marina Circuit for their first Grand Prix at
the end of 2009 was appointed to run the circuit. However, on 24 January 2011 Hughes
confirmed that he had resigned due to 'personal reasons'.[citation needed] His post later went to
Azhar Rehman, a former race organiser in Sepang, Malaysia.[34]

Races
2011
Main article: 2011 Indian Grand Prix
The first Formula One Grand Prix was held at the circuit on 30 October 2011. Sebastian
Vettel won the event, his 11th victory of the season. He also took the fastest lap of the race on
his last lap. Sachin Tendulkar waved the chequered flag to end the race. The only Indian
driver, Narain Karthikeyan of HRT F1, finished in 17th position.[35] The Indian team Sahara
Force India's driver Adrian Sutil finished in 9th position.[36]

2012
Main article: 2012 Indian Grand Prix
Red Bull Racing occupied the front row, with Sebastian Vettel on pole and Mark Webber
second on the grid. They were followed by Lewis Hamilton (third), Jenson Button (fourth),
Fernando Alonso (fifth) and Felipe Massa (sixth) on the grid. On race day, Sebastian Vettel
took the lead at the start and maintained it until the end, thereby winning the race for the
second consecutive time. He was followed by Alonso (second) and Webber (third) on the
podium. The organisers of the race invited shooter Gagan Narang, who won a bronze medal
for India at the London Olympics, to wave the chequered flag.[37]

Winners

Multiple winners (drivers)

No. of Wins
2

Driver
Sebastian Vettel

Years Won
2011, 2012

Multiple winners (constructors)

No. of Wins
2

Constructor
Red Bull

Years Won
2011, 2012

By year
All Indian Grand Prix were held at Buddh International Circuit.
Year
2012
2011

Driver
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel

Constructor
Red Bull-Renault
Red Bull-Renault

Report
Report
Report

Sponsors
Airtel signed a deal worth INR 34 crores to sponsor the Grand Prix of India from 2011 to
2016.[38][39]

Economic benefits
The Indian Grand Prix has the potential to generate around $170 million in revenue and
employ as many as 10,000 people.[citation needed] The opportunity in advertising tie-ups between
manufacturers and Formula One are also a consideration.[33] The race coincides with the
important Diwali holiday, when consumer spending is typically at its highest and many
people are travelling, which further improves economic prospects.[40]

Reactions
Vijay Mallya said, after signing a sponsorship agreement between his Kingfisher Airlines and
the Force India team, (of which he is also team principal) that he was confident the sport
would come to the subcontinent. "It has always been my dream to bring Formula One to
India," he told a news conference on the sidelines of the launch of Force India's car in 2008.
"The government of Delhi I think really wants Formula One in India and I am optimistic that
maybe we will be able to host our first race in 2009."[41]
Both the Motorsports Association of India and the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India
expressed some scepticism. The latter's president, Rajat Mazumder, said that "The only
authorised body that can run motorsports in the country is ours" despite the fact the deal has
been signed with the Indian Olympic Association.

Formula One
Category
Country or region
Inaugural season
Drivers
Teams
Constructors
Engine suppliers
Tyre suppliers
Drivers' champion
Constructors'
champion
Official website

Single seater
Worldwide
1950[1]
24
12
12
Cosworth Ferrari Mercedes
Renault
Pirelli
Sebastian Vettel
(Red Bull Racing)
Red Bull Racing
www.formula1.com
Current season

Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula
One World Championship,[2] is the highest class of single-seater auto racing sanctioned by
the Fdration Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The "formula", designated in the name,
refers to a set of rules with which all participants' cars must comply.[3] The F1 season consists
of a series of races, known as Grands Prix (from French, originally meaning great prizes),
held throughout the world on purpose-built circuits and public roads. The results of each race
are evaluated using a points system to determine two annual World Championships, one for
the drivers and one for the constructors. The racing drivers, constructor teams, track officials,
organisers, and circuits are required to be holders of valid Super Licences, the highest class of
racing licence issued by the FIA.[4]
Formula One cars are among the fastest circuit-racing cars in the world, owing to very high
cornering speeds achieved through the generation of large amounts of aerodynamic
downforce. Formula One cars race at speeds of up to 350 km/h (220 mph) with engines
limited in performance to a maximum of 18,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). The cars are
capable of lateral acceleration in excess of 5 g in corners. The performance of the cars is very
dependent on electronics although traction control and other driving aids have been banned
since 2008 and on aerodynamics, suspension and tyres. The formula has had much
evolution and change through the history of the sport.
While Europe is the sport's traditional base, and hosts about half of each year's races, the
sport's scope has expanded significantly during recent years and an increasing number of
Grands Prix are held on other continents. Formula One had a total global television audience
of 527 million people during the course of the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship.
[5]

Such racing began in 1906 and, in the second half of the 20th century, became the most
popular type internationally. The Formula One Group is the legal holder of the commercial
rights.[6] With annual spending totalling billions of US dollars, Formula One's economic effect
and creation of jobs is significant, and its financial and political battles are widely reported.

Its high profile and popularity make it a merchandising environment, which results in great
investments from sponsors and budgets in the hundreds of millions for the constructors. Since
2000 the sport's spiraling expenditures have forced several teams, including manufacturers'
works teams, into bankruptcy. Others have been bought out by companies wanting to
establish a presence within the sport, which strictly limits the number of participant teams.

History
The Formula One series originated with the European Grand Prix Motor Racing (q.v. for pre1947 history) of the 1920s and 1930s. The "formula" is a set of rules which all participants'
cars must meet. Formula One was a new formula agreed after World War II during 1946, with
the first non-championship races being held that year. A number of Grand Prix racing
organisations had laid out rules for a World Championship before the war, but due to the
suspension of racing during the conflict, the World Drivers' Championship was not
formalised until 1947. The first world championship race was held at Silverstone, United
Kingdom in 1950. A championship for constructors followed in 1958. National
championships existed in South Africa and the UK in the 1960s and 1970s. Nonchampionship Formula One events were held for many years but, due to the increasing cost
of competition, the last of these occurred in 1983.[7]

Return of racing

Juan Manuel Fangio's 1951 title-winning Alfa Romeo 159

The first Formula One World Championship was won by Italian Giuseppe Farina in his Alfa
Romeo in 1950, barely defeating his Argentine teammate Juan Manuel Fangio. However
Fangio won the title in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956 & 1957 (His record of five World
Championship titles stood for 45 years until German driver Michael Schumacher took his
sixth title in 2003), his streak interrupted (after an injury) by two-time champion Alberto
Ascari of Ferrari. Although the UK's Stirling Moss was able to compete regularly, he was
never able to win the World Championship, and is now widely considered to be the greatest
driver never to have won the title.[8][9] Fangio, however, is remembered for dominating
Formula One's first decade and has long been considered the "grand master" of Formula One.
This period featured teams managed by road car manufacturers Alfa Romeo, Ferrari,
Mercedes-Benz, and Maserati all of whom had competed before the war. The first seasons
were run using pre-war cars like Alfa's 158. They were front-engined, with narrow tyres and
1.5-litre supercharged or 4.5-litre normally aspirated engines. The 1952 and 1953 world
championships were run to Formula Two regulations, for smaller, less powerful cars, due to

concerns over the paucity of Formula One cars available.[10] When a new Formula One, for
engines limited to 2.5 litres, was reinstated to the world championship for 1954, MercedesBenz introduced the advanced W196, which featured innovations such as desmodromic
valves and fuel injection as well as enclosed streamlined bodywork. Mercedes drivers won
the championship for two years, before the team withdrew from all motorsport in the wake of
the 1955 Le Mans disaster.[11]

The Garagistes

Stirling Moss's Lotus 18 at the Nrburgring during 1961

The first major technological development, Cooper's re-introduction of mid-engined cars
(following Ferdinand Porsche's pioneering Auto Unions of the 1930s), which evolved from
the company's successful Formula 3 designs, occurred during the 1950s. Australian Jack
Brabham, World Champion during 1959, 1960, and 1966, soon proved the new design's
superiority. By 1961, all regular competitors had switched to mid-engined cars. The Ferguson
P99, a four-wheel drive design, was the last front-engined F1 car to enter a world
championship race. It was entered in the 1961 British Grand Prix, the only front-engined car
to compete that year.[12]
The first British World Champion was Mike Hawthorn, who drove a Ferrari to the title during
the 1958 season. However, when Colin Chapman entered F1 as a chassis designer and later
founder of Team Lotus, British racing green came to dominate the field for the next decade.
Between Brabham, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, Graham Hill, and Denny Hulme,
British teams and Commonwealth drivers won twelve world championships between 1962
and 1973.
During 1962, Lotus introduced a car with an aluminium-sheet monocoque chassis instead of
the traditional space-frame design. This proved to be the greatest technological breakthrough
since the introduction of mid-engined cars. During 1968, Lotus painted Imperial Tobacco
livery on their cars, thus introducing sponsorship to the sport.[13][14]
Aerodynamic downforce slowly gained importance in car design from the appearance of
aerofoils during the late 1960s. During the late 1970s, Lotus introduced ground-effect
aerodynamics that provided enormous downforce and greatly increased cornering speeds
(previously used on Jim Hall's Chaparral 2J during 1970). So great were the aerodynamic
forces pressing the cars to the track (up to 5 times the car's weight), extremely stiff springs

Formula One circuits

Circuit
Albert Park

Map

Grand
Directio
Grands Season(s
Type
Location Length
s Prix
n
Prix
)
held
Melbourn 5.303 km Australia
Stree Clockwis
1996
e,
(3.295 mi n Grand
t
e
2012
Australia )
Prix

17

5.412 km Bahrain 2004

(3.363 mi Grand
2010,
)
Prix
2012

5.141 km Indian
(3.194 mi Grand
)
Prix

20112012

Caesars
AntiLas Vegas, 3.650 km
Stree
Palace 1981
clockwis United
(2.268 mi
t
Grand
1982
e
States
)
Prix

4.655 km Spanish
Clockwis Montmel
1991
(2.892 mi Grand
e
, Spain
2012
)
Prix

22

3.340 km Monaco 1950,

(2.075 mi Grand
1955
)
Prix
2012

59

Bahrain
Internation
al Circuit

Race

Buddh
Internation
al Circuit

Greater
Clockwis
Race
Noida,
e
India

Caesars
Palace

Circuit de
Catalunya
Circuit de
Monaco

Race

Clockwis Sakhir,
e
Bahrain

Stree Clockwis
Monaco
t
e