The Force India Formula One Team Academy has announced that it has extended the age range for participation in the One From A Billion Hunt via a wild card route. The extension follows requests from a number of talented karting enthusiasts aspiring to a career in Formula One.

While the One From a Billion Hunt was initially open to those in the age group of 14 to 17 years, the range of the hunt has been widened by modifying the upper and lower limits of the eligible age groups. Contenders between 12 -14 years of age and 17 -19 years of age will now get a chance to qualify for the National Finals as special wild card entries.

The wild card selection round will be held at Kart Cave, Lower Tank Bund Road, Hyderabad from 3rd - 7th August 2011. Contenders for the wild card entry in both these age groups will need to better the lap time of 25.376 seconds, which is the time set by the 14th fastest finalist from the recently concluded regional trial in Hyderabad. One winner from each of the above age groups will be selected as a wild card entry and will go on to the National Finals to be held in Goa in September.

Sharing his perspective on the rationale behind widening the ambit of the One from a Billion Hunt, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman & Team Principal, Force India Formula One Team said: "I personally received requests and representations from a large number of parents and F1 hopefuls asking if we could consider including age groups somewhat younger and older than what we had originally envisaged in our programme so that more aspirants could benefit from the historic initiative undertaken by the recently set-up Force India F1 Team Academy. Not including them in the on-going Hunt would have meant budding racing talent from India would have had to wait for another two years. With a view to broad-basing the programme in response to popular demand, we have tweaked the age limits of the eligible categories for the Hunt and we hope that more talented young Indians will take advantage of this opportunity and give it their best shot. Two talented young Indians from the expanded age groups will be selected as wild card entries and will go on to join the 98 other talented young Indians in the National Finals of the Hunt. I wish the contenders for the wild card entries all the very best!"

The age groups eligible for the Wild Card Selection Round are:

12-14 years (born on or after 1st January 1998 to born on or before 31st December 1999)

17-19 years (born on or after 1st January 1992 to born on or before 31st December 1993)

The Wild Card Selection Round will be open to eligible persons of Indian Origin including NRIs and PIOs.

Commenting on the announcement of the expansion of the eligible age group, Mr. Raymond Wong, CEO, ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd said "We have received an overwhelming response from motorsports enthusiasts for the "One from a Billion Hunt" trials. Mobil 1 and Force India Formula One Team Academy are pleased to provide aspiring Formula 1 drivers across India with yet another opportunity to be part of this country-wide search, and a chance to be part of India's Formula One team. The Wild Card Selection Round will be held in Hyderabad"

Following the selection of the wild card entries, the top 100 hopefuls will attend the National Final in Goa, where the ten most promising talents will be invited to come to Silverstone for the grand finale later this year. The three winners chosen at Silverstone will benefit from the team's support and funding as they embark on the path towards a professional career in motorsport, and possibly the chance to one day step up to Formula One.

Registration for the Wild Card Selection Round will be open until 31st July on the One From A Billion Hunt website.