Bernie Ecclestone remains confident that India will host a round of the World Championship in 2011 despite the apparent apathy of the country's sports ministry which is refusing to provide funding.

Last week, the Indian sports ministry turned down a request from race promoter JPSK Sports for a $36.5 remit in foreign currency payable to Ecclestone's Formula One Administration (FOA), claiming that it sees F1 as entertainment rather than sport and fails to see the value of holding a Grand Prix, adding that the sport "does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavour for excelling in competition with others".

However, Ecclestone remains confident the obstacles will be overcome and that the race will take place as scheduled, telling the PTI agency: "We are waiting for the circuit to be constructed. The foundation stone will be laid in late October and I will be in India to lay the foundation stone.

"It's been on for a long time," he added. "There's never been any doubt. The contract was signed a long time ago."

Referring to the comments made by Manohar Singh Gill, India's sports minister, Ecclestone said: "That's his view. The rest of the world thinks it is a sport."

The cause of F1 in India was somewhat boosted at the weekend when Silverstone-based Force India, which is owned by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya, took pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix and subsequently went on to finish second in the race.