Indian Grand Prix could return on F1 calendar in 2015

  • Published on 30 Jul 2013 12:44
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
India, set to lose its place on the 2014 calendar, could return the year after. That is the claim of Vicky Chandhok, the president of the Indian motor sport federation, who works closely with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Ecclestone admitted on Monday that the sport will "probably not" travel to India next year, amid reports he needs to trim the schedule to a maximum of 20 grands prix. According to reports, the main issue with the privately-organised Indian grand prix is the government insists on taxing the teams and drivers at a full rate.

But Chandhok insisted the problem is merely organisational, not "political" as claimed by Ecclestone. "Bernie told me he was alluding to the pressures arising out of expanding the calendar. He was not talking about politics in India," he said.

"In 2015," Chandhok explained to the Hindustan Times newspaper, "F1 is looking to start earlier than the usual March. This means that the 2014 calendar will have to be wrapped up earlier than November. As such, some races like India may be dropped."

Race organiser Jaypee has a contract to host two more races on top of this year's event in October. "If the 2014 race is dropped," said Chandhok, "the Indian GP will be held in 2015 and 2016." He added that India's 2015 race would be early in the season.

A spokesperson for Jaypee told the Press Trust of India an official statement will be issued "soon". Jaypee vice president Askari Zaidi admitted there is a problem with the tax arrangements. "The FOM is extremely unhappy with the way they are being taxed by the government," he told India's Telegraph newspaper. "They (F1) get tax benefits at all other venues across the world." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar